Sausage & Gorgonzola Pizza

*I found this recipe here. The flavor of Gorgonzola is too strong for Dad, so I only use a minimal amount.

Ingredients

3 Sausages, casings removed
1 Pizza Crust
1 1/4 C Pizza Sauce
6 Oz Shredded Mozzarella (Trader Joe's & Safeway have affordable, organic mozzarella)
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
2-4 Oz Gorgonzola Cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup black olives, halved
4 thin rounds Green Bell Pepper, halved

Directions

1. Saute sausage in large skillet over medium-high heat until just cooked through, breaking into 1/2-inch pieces with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Drain off fat; set sausage aside.

2. Place pizza crust on pizza stone. Spread sauce over crust; add cheese and toppings.

3. Bake pizza in 425 degree oven until crust is crisp and topping is heated through, about 13 minutes.

Mom Tips

Pizzas are great for making ahead and popping in the oven when you're ready. They refrigerate and freeze easily.

Buy organic bell peppers in bulk when they're in season, slice, and freeze them so you can enjoy them on your pizzas all winter long.

Penne With Sausage & Peppers

*I adapted this recipe from one I found in Parents magazine, January 2010.

Ingredients

2 tsp Oil
12 oz Sausage (I use this one from Whole Foods)
1/2 Medium Onion, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 Medium Bell Peppers, cut into strips (I like to use red or yellow)
1 c water
2 Tomatoes, diced
1 Tbsp Dried Basil
1 Tsp Dried Oregano
1/8 Tsp Black Pepper
1 Tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 lb Dried Whole Wheat Penne Pasta (Trader Joe's has an affordable, whole wheat organic penne)

Directions

1. Heat a pan on medium-high. Add oil and sausage; cook until brown on all sides, 4 minutes. Stir in onion & garlic; saute for 1 minute. Add peppers, water, tomatoes, basil, oregano, black pepper, and Worcestershire. Cover; bring ingredients to a boil. Lower heat, simmer 10 minutes.

2. Remove sausages; slice. Return to pan and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes, or until liquid is slightly thickened. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and return to pot. Toss sausage mixture with pasta.

*Serve with a salad and Herb Focaccia Bread with oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping - yum!

Tips

Buy the organic bell peppers and the sausage in bulk when you can find them on sale; slice the peppers into strips and freeze them for later use.