penne with sausage

2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 cups diced asparagus
2 cups fresh chopped tomatoes
12 oz. sliced Italian sausage
4 cloves of garlic sliced;'
2 tbsps olive oil
4 cups penne
2 tsps crushed red pepper
1 tsp sea salt

Prepare pasta as specified on box. Slice sausage and saute in olive oil over a med flame for 2 or 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute until garlic is translucent. Add mushrooms and tomatoes and saute for 5-7 minutes. Add asparagus and saute for 3-5 minutes. Add pasta, salt and red pepper to pan and combine over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.

I made this with a mild Italian chicken and turkey sausage and a whole grain penne, it was a hit with both my husband and my sister. And then my sister decided she wanted to melt peanut butter and eat it over the dish.

She almost made a fire in the microwave (apparently the light Skippy's label is metallic). And I normally wouldn't be down with people pouring peanut butter all over my cooking, but she has shingles, for the second time. So she is allowed to do whatever she wants. At least until she gets better.

Tomato Risotto

Tonight I went to make risotto and realized that I had no vegetable stock, no boullion, nothing. I had promised my husband risotto and I knew I wasn't going to use water so I dug out some tomato sauce and a happy accident occured.

Tomato Risotto
1 cup arborio rice
1/2 cup chopped white onion
2 cups tomato sauce combined with 1 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup shredded cheese mixture (equal parts asiago, romano, and parmesan)

Saute onions in olive oil over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add rice, saute for 2 minutes. Add one cup of tomato sauce and water and stir over medium heat until it is absorbed. Add remaining tomato sauce and water in one cup increments until rice is cooked. Remove risotto from flame and fold in cheese mixture. Serves 4 as a side dish or 2 - 3 as a main course.

I served this as a side with sauted salmon seasoned with a salmon dry rub I got at Whole Foods, and roasted brussel sprouts with garlic.

And then I ate a giant pickle:

or at least I tried to it was so delicious but entirely too huge.