The way to my man's heart: Pasta, Sausage, Cheese Bread and Wine

"I love cooking with wine, I sometimes even put it in the food"

Picture Courtesy of Pioneer Woman

Today I had a nice meeting with my unemployed club. My girlfriends Cassy and Tina came over to work on applications while I worked on job hunting. The hard work we were putting in, with our three lap tops on my dinning room table quickly morphed to finding our doppelganger for facebook and researching for yummy pasta recipes I could make for Jonny B. I settled on Whole Wheat Rigatoni with sausage and peas in a light cream sauce. MMMM yummy. I started with garlic cheesy bread that was pretty much amazing. We had a wonderful time talking with Cass, cooking while munching on the bread and washing it down with a $3.99 bottle of Chardonnay. I honestly can say one of my greatest joys is making a meal for Jon and watching how much he loves the food. We haven't quite got him to do ALL the dishes after every meal but hey he is so sweet all the time I can sacrifice doing half the dishes. Everything I make comes with love to my family and friends. Its one way I really know how to express I care.

Recipe Adapted from Cooks Country Magazine

Cream Sauce with Sausage and Peas

Makes enough to sauce 1 pound of pasta

1	pound hot or mild Italian sausage , casings removed and meat crumbled
1	tablespoon olive oil
1/2	medium onion , chopped fine
1	clove garlic , minced
1/2	teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/3	cup white wine
3/4	cup low-sodium chicken broth
1	cup heavy cream plus 2 additional tablespoons
2	cups fresh peas or frozen peas
1/2	cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

1. Brown sausage in large skillet over medium heat, 6 to 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to plate lined with paper towels. Pour off grease in pan. Add oil and heat over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add wine and simmer until almost evaporated, 1 to 3 minutes. Add broth and 1 cup cream; simmer until sauce reaches consistency of light cream, 6 to 9 minutes. Stir in peas and sausage and cook until flavors meld, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cheese, and season with salt and pepper.

2. Toss sauce and remaining 2 tablespoons cream with cooked pasta and serve.