Tag Archives: chicken sausage

March 8, 2015 · 4:00 pm

Sausage Farfalle Skillet Dinner

Here’s a quick and easy skillet dinner. Although I make my own sauce and grate my own cheese, you can use a jarred sauce and shredded cheese. I cook the dish in 25 minutes using my Kitchen Craft Electric Skillet, but you can adapt the recipe for baking in the oven.
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RECIPE

Sausage Farfalle Skillet Dinner
Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 package chicken sausage (Italian Style)
  • 2 cups dried farfalle pasta (Bowties) or your choice
  • 16 oz. low sodium tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 carrot
  • 1/2 yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 tsp. dried Italian seasonings
  • 1 tsp. Kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Italian cheese (or Parmesan, Mozzarella mix)

Directions:

  1. Preheat electric skillet to 225°
  2. Slice sausages into 1/4″ slices.
  3. In a blender (I use a Vitamix) combine all other ingredients except the pasta and cheese. Puree into a sauce.
  4. Cover bottom of skillet with sliced sausage. Layer farfalle pasta on top the sausage. Then pour the sauce over the layers, completely covering the pasta.
  5. Cover and cook 20 minutes.
  6. Lift lid, stir layers, then cover with the shredded cheeses. Cover and reduce heat to its lowest setting.
  7. Cook an additional 5 minutes then serve.

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Enjoy!

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January 22, 2015 · 3:01 pm

Healthy Midway Food?

Midway

MIDWAY SAUSAGES & FRIES FOR TWO

When it comes to junk food, nothing beats the midway. Whether it’s a fair, festival, or amusement park, I’m captivated by the aromas of fried corn dogs, funnel cakes, sausages, and wonderful Philly cheese steak sandwiches. Unfortunately, nothing beats the fat, sodium, and calorie counts of these foods. So I set out to lighten them up in my kitchen.

I’m happy to report success with my first midway meal. In about 30 minutes, I had a yummy version of fair food. All I needed was a well-seasoned cast iron skillet to make it happen.

First, I cooked frozen fries over medium-high heat for 20+ minutes, turning once to get them evenly browned.

Next, I grilled two (opened) whole wheat wiener buns (toasted buns are sturdier than plain bread). Meanwhile, I sliced thin strips of onion and sweet pepper. After grilling/toasting the buns, I sprayed with Pam® and grilled the pepper and onion slices. I sprinkled cheddar cheese over one half of each bun so it would start to melt.

I added the cooked onion and pepper slices to the cheese.

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Then, after another quick spray of Pam®, I grilled two Johnsonville Farms chicken sausages, turning three times to brown all sides.

 

 

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I plated it and presto! I had a yummy, lighter version of midway junk food! Next I’m going to try the Philly Cheese Steak. Wish me luck! And don’t be afraid to try your own midway food, especially if you have children. It’s fun, cheaper, and better nutrition.

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