Garlic Sausage Gnocchi

This revision of my original Sausage Gnocchi uses Garlic Sausage and FRESH Organic Tomatoes to create the tomato sauce and adds a touch of Mozzarella cheese.  It’s quick and easy and tasty…serves 3-4. 

Ingredients
1 Lb. Pkg. Potato Gnocchi
3 Medium Diced Tomatoes
1 – 1 ¼ Lb. Garlic Seasoned Italian Sausage (4 links)
½ chopped large Sweet Onion
Italian seasoning (A strong Tsp each of basil, oregano, cumin)
Water
½ Tsp. Fresh Ground Sea Salt
1 Tsp. Granulated Sugar
1 ½ Tsp. Parsley
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Grated Romano/Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Preparation

1.    Fire up the Egg to FULL FLAME on extended ring with Grid.
2.    In a 4 Qt. Pot bring lightly salted water to boil for Gnocchi and boil until it all floats, remove and drain, set aside.
3.    Dribble a splash of water into the 4 Qt. pot and cook onions until they are transparent.
4.    Add the tomatoes and 8 oz. of Tomato Sauce, stir in the spices and bring to boil, stirring frequently.
5.    Remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes then add Gnocchi to tomato sauce and recover pot.
6.    In a Cast Iron Skillet heat EVOO over high heat and the sausage (links rolled into approximately 1 tablespoon in size and cook until browned throughout.
7.    Dump the tomato sauce/gnocchi into the skillet and stir constantly.  Bring skillet contents to a boil.
8.    Add mozzarella cheese and stir until melted the remove from heat and let set for 5 minutes. 
9.    Dump into a service dish or Paella pan, sprinkle lightly with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

 

Halloween Dinner - Garlic Sausage Gnocchi

Garlic Sausage Gnocchi II is a revision of my original Sausage Gnocchi uses Garlic Sausage and FRESH Organic Tomatoes to create the tomato sauce and adds a touch of Mozzarella cheese. It’s quick and easy and tasty…serves 3-4.
Ingredients
1 Lb. Pkg. Potato Gnocchi
3 Medium Diced Tomatoes
1 – 1 ¼ Lb. Garlic Seasoned Italian Sausage (4 links)
½ chopped large Sweet Onion

Italian seasoning (A strong Tsp each of basil, oregano, cumin)
Water
½ Tsp. Fresh Ground Sea Salt
1 Tsp. Granulated Sugar
1 ½ Tsp. Parsley
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Grated Romano/Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Preparation
1. Fire up the Egg to FULL FLAME on extended ring with Grid.
2. In a 4 Qt. Pot bring lightly salted water to boil for Gnocchi and boil until it all floats, remove and drain, set aside.
3. Dribble a splash of water into the 4 Qt. pot and cook onions until they are transparent.
4. Add the tomatoes and 8 oz. of Tomato Sauce, stir in the spices and bring to boil, stirring frequently.

5. Remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes then add Gnocchi to tomato sauce and recover pot.

6. In a Cast Iron Skillet heat EVOO over high heat and the sausage (links rolled into approximately 1 tablespoon in size and cook until browned throughout.

7. Dump the tomato sauce/gnocchi into the skillet and stir constantly. Bring skillet contents to a boil.

8. Add mozzarella cheese and stir until melted the remove from heat and let set for 5 minutes.

9. Dump into a service dish or Paella pan, sprinkle lightly with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Penne Paella

A variation on my Penne with Sausage and Peas that included substituting Mild Italian Sausage (for Andouille) and 8 oz. of Tomato sauce for the chicken broth in the original recipe.  Probably more of a Marzette than a Paella actually.


Ingredients
• 8-10 Oz. Penne Pasta, uncooked
• EVOO
• ¾ Lb. Mild Italian Sausage
• 3 large Cloves of Fresh Garlic (minced)
• 1 Large Tomato, chopped
• ¼ Tsp. Salt
• 1 -2 Tsp. Paul Prudhomme’s Seasoning Magic Pork and Veil Magic
• 8 Oz. can Tomato Sauce
• 1 Cup, Frozen peas, thawed
• 1 Cup, Fresh Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Fire up BGE to full flame and heat a large pot (a CI double broiler or Emile Henry 4-5 qt. pot will work fine) of lightly salted water to boiling; Add pasta and cook until tender then drain and set aside.
2. Close off the bottom damper on the BGE to and place large paella pan on grid.
3. Drizzle EVOO in bottom of paella pan then add the garlic and sausage, sprinkle on the Pork Magic and cook until browned (turn/stir occasionally).
4. Add the tomatoes and salt and cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the pasta and the peas and stir well.
6. When hot, add the cheese and toss until melted. (Option: Add Cheese as a garnish instead of melting with the pasta).
7. Remove from heat and serve right from the Paella pan.

Nothing like cooking the entire dinner on the egg once again, no heat in the kitchen.  Here are the 'RAWS' (most of them anyway).

PENNE WITH SAUSAGE AND PEAS

Pint Size Paella (w/Organic Chicken)

Paella; a yummy Spanish dish with its classic saffron-yellow rice, brightly colored veggies and combination of seafood and meats. For this recipe I used a small vintage Dansk paella pan for preparation of the down-sized original recipe. This version only serves 2-3.

INGREDIENTS
• ½ -3/4 Lb. Boneless, Skinless Thighs (Organic) chopped into bite size pieces
• ½ Tsp. Turmeric
• ½ Tsp. - Pimentón
• Dash (1/16th Tsp.) Oregano
• EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• ½ Lb. Mild Italian Sausage (ground)
• 1 Medium Vidalia onion, chopped
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
• 1 Orange Bell Pepper, chopped
• !0 oz Rice - Yellow Saffron pre-spiced Medium Rick
• 3/4 Cup Diced Plum or Amoroso Tomato
• ½ Tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
• Garlic to taste 2-3 large Garlic Cloves (Sub: Garlic Onion in season)
• 3 Cups – Organic, Chicken Broth, low sodium
• 1 Cup – Frozen Broccoli, thawed
• ½ Cup – Frozen Peas, thawed


DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat Big Green Egg to 400 degrees. If you can’t swing grilling this recipe you can start it on the cook top and finish it in the oven (sacrilegious of course).
2. Add Turmeric, Pimentón, Oregano, salt and pepper to chicken stock and set aside.
3. Heat oil in Pan of Choice (Paella, Iron Skillet, Terracotta, etc) and precook the chicken and sausage then remove and set aside.
4. Sauté the onions and garlic, asparagus and peppers and when just about tender, add the tomatoes, sauté for 3-4 more minute then remove and set aside.
5. Change from direct to indirect setting and add the stock and rice, Paprika, Saffron (if applicable).
6. Stir ONCE and close the lid and sauté for 15 minutes checking the rice for tenderness before adding the remaining ingredients.
7. Add the sausage, chicken and sautéed veggies and peas and stir well and close the lid again for 8-10 minutes of simmering. ; Remove from heat and serve from Paella pan.

Chicken, Andouille & Tasso Jambalaya

…or Jumbled-laya
Building on my love of Paul Prudhomme’s spices this recipe is loosely based (for this particular cook we have substituted most of the meats called for with things we already had in the refrigerator or freezer, but it works just fine), thus the JUMBLE. This Jambalaya dish serves 6 as a main dish or 10-12 as an appetizer.


 Ingredients
• 2 Tbsp. Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Seasoning (you pick from Poultry, Meat or Pork & Veal magic)
• 3 Tbsp. Butter (unsalted)
• 4 Ounces Tasso (or sub chunks of ham)
• 4 Ounces Andouille (or sub Chorizo or Spicy Italian or Polish sausage/Kielbasa) Sausage, diced
• ¾ Lb. Boneless Chicken (thighs or breast) – Bite Size
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 1 Cup Chopped Sweet Onions
• 1 Cup Chopped Celery (optional)
• 1 Cup Green Bell Pepper (chopped (and ANY color will do))
• 1 Tbsp. Garlic (fresh minced)
• ½ Cup Canned Tomato Sauce
• 1 Cup Peeled and Chopped Fresh Tomatoes (or substitute 1 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes)
• 2 ½ Cups Chicken Broth (stock or water substitute)
• 1 ½ Cups Instant Rice

Preparation
1. Fire up the BGE (and 2” raised grid) and when it reaches high heat, melt the butter in a double broiler (5-6 quart).
2. Add the Andouille and Tasso; cook until meat starts to brown, about 4-5 minutes; stirring frequently.
3. Sprinkle in a little EVOO and add the Chicken; continue cooking until brown (again stirring frequently).
4. Stir in the Bay leaves, Magic Seasoning, and ½ cup each of the onions, celery (optional) the bell pepper and garlic and cook until the vegetables are tender; stirring frequently and keeping the bottom of the pan from sticking ingredients.
5. Stir in the remaining ½ cup each of the Onions, Celery (optional) and bell pepper, the tomatoes and tomato sauce.
6. Stir in the stock and rice, mixing well and allow the mixture to come to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cover the double broiler and shut down the Big Green Egg completely. When the rice is tender and the stock has cooked down (approximately 8-10 minutes) remove from egg.
7. Stir well and remove Bay leaves and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Paella

I wanted to try something different so a couple weeks back I queried the forum for recipes. This version is a mix of things I found on the internet and those I got back from the eggheadforum.com group.   I ordered this pan off of eBay and thought it would be here in time for Mothers Day...however it arrived a day late so had to wait until this weekend to prepare this dish. It turned out fantastic. If you cut the ingredients in half it would feed two VERY hungry people well as an option. ENJOY!

Paella; a yummy Spanish dish with its classic saffron-yellow rice, brightly colored veggies and combination of seafood and meats. For this recipe I even purchased a vintage Dansk paella pan for preparation (go to have all the right tools (or toys)). Serves 6.

INGREDIENTS
1 ½ Lb. Boneless, Skinless Thighs or Breasts (Organic preferred) chopped into bite size pieces
1 Tsp. Turmeric
1 Tsp. - Pimentón
¼ Tsp. Oregano
1 Tsp. Parsley (dried, chopped)
1 Tsp. Sea Salt, fresh ground)
¼ Tsp. Black Pepper (fresh ground peppercorns)
EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

2 links – Spicy Italian Sausage (Sub: Chorizo), sliced thin

1 Large Sweet or Vidalia onion, chopped
1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
2 Cups Rice Options: Medium Grain Rice + 1/4 teaspoon saffron thread, crushed OR Yellow Saffron pre-spiced Medium Rick
1 Cup Diced Plum Tomato
¼ Tsp. Red Pepper Flakes

Garlic to taste 2-4 Garlic Cloves (Sub: Garlic Onion in season)

4 Cups – Chicken Broth, low sodium
1 Lb. Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 Cup - Asparagus, cut diagonally
½ Cup – Frozen Peas, thawed

DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat Big Green Egg to 400 degrees. If you can’t swing grilling this recipe you can start it on the cook top and finish it in the oven (sacrilegious of course).

2.Add Turmeric, Pimentón, Oregano, salt and pepper to chicken stock and set aside.
3.Heat oil in Pan of Choice (Paella, Iron Skillet, Terracotta, etc) and precook the chicken and sausage then remove from heat and set aside.
4.Sauté the onions and garlic, asparagus and peppers and set aside.
5.Change from direct to indirect setting and add the stock and rice, Paprika, Saffron (if applicable).
6.Stir ONCE and close the lid and sauté for 15 minutes checking the rice for tenderness before adding the remaining ingredients.
7.Add the shrimp, sausage, chicken and sautéed veggies, peas and stir well and close the lid again for 10 minutes of simmering.

Sausage Gnocchi (Italian Sausage and Potato Gnocchi)

Sausage Gnocchi - Gnocchi Potato Pasta is served in a tomato sauce with Italian Sausage. Quick and easy and tasty…serves 2-3.

Ingredients
1 Lb. Pkg. Potato Gnocchi
1 – 14 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes
4 – ¼ lb. Italian Sausage Links
½ chopped large Sweet Onion
½ Bulb Fresh Garlic, Minced
1 Tbls. Italian seasoning (equal amounts of basil, oregano, cumin)
¼ Cup Water
½ Tsp. Fresh Ground Sea Salt
1 Tsp. Granulated Sugar
1 Tsp. Parsley
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Grated Romano/Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Preparation
1. Fire up the Egg to FULL FLAME on extended ring.
2. Bring water to boil for Gnocchi and boil until it all floats, remove and drain, set aside.
3. Heat EVOO in a saucepan over high heat and add onions. Cook until translucent then add all the spices and cook until soft.
4. Add Tomatoes and water and bring to boil, cover and let simmer for 5 minutes, remove from heat and set aside.
5. Heat EVOO in skillet and brown sausage links. Remove from heat and slice into ½ inch slices, replace on skillet and brown throughout.
6. Remove from skillet and stir into saucepan and bring to boil again. Add Gnocchi and stir. Cover and remove from fire, let set for 10 minutes sprinkle with cheese and serve.

Even the Dog GENO (Italian Greyhound) couldn't resist this dish!

Big Green Egg MEATLOAF II

No one should ever be completely satisfied with any original recipe. Always look for new spice combinations and other improvements. In Meatloaf Version II the recipe changes up the combination of meats, turned up the temp just a touch, added a few crackers and introduced Bad Byron’s Butt Rub to replace the Chipolte spice in the original recipe all combining for an interesting change up.
Ingredients and Recommended Brands (where available)
2 LB Ground Chuck
10 oz.Medium Spicy Italian Sausage, Coarse Ground
1 ½ cup Diced White Onion
4-5 Garlic Cloves
½ cup Diced Red Pepper
2 Tbs Olive Oil
3 Tbs Light Sour Cream
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup Dijon mustard
1 cup Shredded Mild Colby & Monterey Jack
3 Large Egg Yolks
½ cup Minced Parsley
1 tsp Bad Byron’s Butt Rub
½ tsp Ground Cumin
Big Pinch - Fresh Ground Salt
Big Pinch - BGE Garlic Pepper
10 Town House Crackers (crushed up)

Preparation DirectionsSauté onion and garlic in olive oil until lightly browned;
Add Red Pepper and sauté until soft.
Season with Salt and Pepper
Cool
Mixed Cooked Vegetables with other ingredients.
Pack into 9” x 5” x 3” loaf pan lined with foil
Chill for 4 hours minimum

Cooking Directions
Preheat BGE to 300-330 degrees and stabilize heat with plate rack in place.
Turn Loaf out onto foil and place in shallow pan or wire v-rack
Put meatloaf on the BGE (indirect-use plate rack and drip pan)
Cook until the loaf’s internal temperature is 155-1600 (approximately 1-1 ½ hours)
Remove from BGE and let cool 15 minutes before slicing

Recommended Side Dishes and DesertsGarlic Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob and Green Onions and of course - Roasted Marshmallows for Desert over hot coals. And never forget to have a few pickled whole jalapenos on the side with every meal!

STUFFED GREEN PEPPERS

Ingredients4 Large bell peppers - Green
1 lb. Italian Sausage - Bulk - Jimmy Dean
¼ cup Onion, Diced
6 oz.Yellow Rice - Pre-seasoned Long Grain
4 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated
48+oz. Spaghetti Sauce - Ragu, Chunky Garden Style
2 cups Mozzarella cheese, grated
4 Garlic Cloves, peeled
3 Garlic Cloves, peeled and diced

Preparation Directions
Cut tops from peppers and remove membranes and seeds.
Par-boil for 5 minutes and drain
Brown Sausage, onions and diced garlic and drain.
Mix Sausage, onion, rice and Parmesan cheese
Stuff peppers
Spoon Spaghetti sauce into 9” baking pan about ¾ “ deep
Sprinkle 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese over peppers
Pour remainder of Spaghetti sauce over peppers.
Sprinkle remainder of Mozzarella cheese over the top

Cooking DirectionsThe Big Green Egg temperature should be 3500
Place 4 garlic cloves on hot charcoal
Place baking pan with peppers and bake for 30 minutes (longer if you prefer to use the indirect heat – Plate rack method)

Recommended Side Dishes and DesertsGarlic Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Marshmallows for Desert over hot coals