OK, maybe not a "gazillion," but enough meals to make your family think you're an amazing magician in the kitchen! I love to impress my hungry, fork-stomping brood with my ability to whip up an impressive dinner in a matter of minutes.
I've already shared my Rotisserie-Chicken love affair with you. And now I spill the beans on my other paramour, the smoked sausage.
Simple, elegant, and good gracious! It's PRE-COOKED! Move over hot dogs, there's another chopped, pressed meat in town.
I like the Skinless variety because it's, well, skinless.
So get your apronon and try a few of my favorite ways to use this edible chameleon.
Sausage and Vegetable Medley
Start (pretty much any) meal preparation by sauteeing up some onions. Throw in some red or green peppers in for color. At this point, your family will be drooling in anticipation, because they can tell you're working on something good in there. While that is starting, slice up any other veggies laying around (you know you have some!) like zucchini, broccoli, carrots etc. and toss those in. Add sliced smoked sausage at the very end, and voila! A colorful, flavorful dish to serve over rice.
Variation: 1)
Serve the above next to couscous. I love couscous because it only takes 5 minutes.
Variation 2)
Serve over Ramen noodles (cook according to pkg, and then drain like spaghetti. Yum!)
Red Beans and Rice
You CAN make this from scratch, but why?
There are many mixes like this, but here's one brand I've used.
NOTE: I add 1/2 cup rice and 1 cup water to the mix so it's not too spicey. Add sliced sausage during the last 5 minutes and serve with chips and cheese.
Sausage and Pesto, with Pasta
Start up your onions and veggies, like in the first recipe. Add sliced sausage. Cook up some pasta (ziti, penne). Toss all together with prepared Pesto to taste. To this you can add feta cheese, slice olives, etc.
You might want to serve this on some nice china with crusty bread. It's so good your head will explode from all the compliments you'll receive.
Breakfast for Dinner
This is an actual monthly menu category. Sausage can be substituted for bacon or ground sausage patties, etc.
And the simplest of all meals:
Easy: sauteed onions and sausage, served on a toasted bun with melted provalone cheese.
Easier: microwaved sausage served on hot dog buns
Easiest: eat sausage directly from package, skip the bun. (Not recommended.)
For more recipe ideas, Eckrich has plenty. AND they have printable coupons! Go getcha some!
This week I noticed that my grocery store had their store brand for "Buy One Get One Free" and since they have a long refrigerator life, you can stock up on an extra package or two. Perfect for having on hand during the holiday rush of activities.
For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas, go visit Shannon!
