Tortellini, Sausage & Escarole Soup

Directions

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

1/2 c. dry white wine

1 onion, chopped

2 celery ribs, sliced

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 carrot, sliced thin

6 c. chicken stock

2 tsp. oregano

2 tsp. parsley

1 tsp. red chili flakes

1 bay leaf

1 15-oz. can cannellini beans

1 piece of rind from hard cheese such as parmesan or romano (optional)

Freshly ground black pepper

1 head of escarole

1 9-oz. package refrigerated three-cheese tortellini or mini ravioli

For the Pesto Croutons

3 tbsp. pesto

1 tbsp. olive oil

3 c. ciabatta bread, cubed

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up into large chunks with a spoon, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a 6-quart slow cooker; reserve skillet. Add wine to reserved skillet and cook, scraping up brown bits, add to slow cooker.

Add onion, celery, garlic, oregano, parsley, chili flakes, bay leaf, beans, cheese rind, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook until vegetables are tender, on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.

Stir in escarole and tortellini; cover and cook until escarole is wilted and tortellini is tender, 14 to 16 minutes on low or 4 to 6 minutes on high. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with Pesto 

Croutons.

Make the Pesto Croutons: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Stir together pesto and olive oil in a bowl. Add ciabatta bread and toss to coat. Bake until toasted, 10 to 12 minutes.

Recipe adapted from CountryLiving.com

Breakfast Popovers with Italian Sausage & Smoky Mozzarella

Ingredients

Butter, for greasing the pan
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Two 3-to-4-ounce sweet or spicy Italian sausage links, casings removed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella (4 ounces)
4 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups milk, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 small green onions, pale green and white parts only, finely sliced to yield 1/4 cup
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Maple syrup, for drizzling

Special equipment: One 12-cup nonstick muffin pan, each cup about 1/2-cup capacity, or a 12-cup popover pan, each cup about 1/2-cup capacity

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Butter the muffin cups.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a medium nonstick skillet. Add the sausage and break it into 1/4-to-1/2-inch pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until brown and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons sausage into each muffin cup. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the sausage.

Blend the eggs in a blender until frothy, about 15 seconds. Add the milk, flour, green onions, basil, salt and pepper. Blend until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the muffin cups, filling each cup to just below the rim. Bake, without opening the oven door, until puffed and golden, about 35 minutes.

Place the popovers on a platter and drizzle with maple syrup.

Recipe courtesy of Giada DeLaurentis

Lentil, Sausage & Tomato Soup

Ingredients
1/2 lb. hot or sweet Italian sausage, your preference
1 large onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 T chopped garlic or more to taste
1 (16 oz) pkg. dried lentils
1 c shredded or sliced carrots
2 (32 oz) cartons vegetable stock or broth
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato puree
1 small carton fresh baby spinach
1 small container sliced cremini mushrooms
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1 T salt or to taste
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Place sausage in a Dutch oven.  Cook over medium high heat until browned.  Add onion, celery and garlic and saute until tender and translucent. Stir in lentils, carrot, broth, tomatoes & mushrooms. Season with bay leaves oregano, thyme, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until lentils are tender.  Add spinach the last 10 minutes. Serve with grated Parmesan Regianno cheese.

Mangia!

Sausage, Cabbage & Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

8 oz. (or 4 links) hot or sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings
1 large onion, chopped
2 large sliced carrots
2 celery stalks, cut in 1/2" pieces
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 c water
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 small head of green cabbage, cut thin
1 T flour

Break sausage into chunks into a large pot or Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until browned.
Add onion, carrots & celery.  Cover and continue cooking over medium heat until onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
Add broth, 1 c water and garlic.  Simmer 5 minutes or until carrots are almost tender.
Stir in cabbage; cook 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
In a small bowl, stir flour and remaining 1/4 c water until blended.  Add to soup and cook 2 minutes.

(Recipe adapted from Woman's Day - March 2010)