Italian Chicken Sausage and Peppers

This recipe is inspired by the Social dimension of wellness.

Social wellness is about relating . It's about attracting and maintaining long-lasting relationships. Further, it involves building healthy, nurturing, and supportive relationships as well as fostering a genuine connection with those around you by taking the time to listen and learn from others.

“Cooking is love made visible.” - anonymous

It’s interesting how some foods jog our memories from the past. There is an emotional experience when eating certain ethnic foods. Preparing and eating meals help us tap into all our senses - touch, taste, sight, smell, and sound. When my son was a toddler, we lived for a short time with my Italian mother-in-law. It was in her kitchen, with my son in his playpen, where I learned to make her special sauce. While making this scrumptious dish of Italian Chicken Sausage and Peppers, I am reminded of that precious time. My mother-in-law and I would share personal stories and kiss my little boy in the kitchen while preparing our fresh ingredients. I distinctly remember the familiar smell of that special time when I was a young mom cooking healthy for my son.

What draws emotions in you when smelling certain foods?

Next time you make this dish, or any of my recipes, try to reflect on a special time where food became a reminder of that memory. Bon Appetit!

Recipe of the Day: Italian Chicken Sausage and Peppers

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 pound sweet chicken sausage

• 2 red bell peppers, sliced

• 2 yellow onions, sliced

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

• 4 garlic cloves, chopped

• 2 Tbsp tomato paste

• 1 cup Marsala wine

• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes

• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook until brown on both sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain.

2. Keeping the pan over medium heat, add the peppers, onions, salt, and pepper and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the oregano, basil, and garlic and cook 2 more minutes.

3. Add the tomato paste and stir. Add the Marsala wine, tomatoes, and chili flakes, if using. Stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release all the browned bits. Bring to a simmer.

4. Cut the sausages into 4 to 6 pieces each, about 1-inch cubes. Add the sausage back to the pan and stir to combine. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.

5. Serve in bowls. Or, if serving as a sandwich, split the rolls in half lengthwise. Hollow out the bread from the bottom side of each roll, being careful not to puncture the crust. Fill the bottom half of the roll with sausage mixture. Top and serve sandwiches immediately.