Sting's Favorite Meal (when he's eating meat...

right now, though, he's macrobiotic) It deserves the full name. It's so good, it makes us wonder what his favorite meal is when he's macrobiotic. It has meat, and some of you don't believe in the pleasures of the flesh, so you'll just have to believe me that it's damn good.

2 T extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 lb hot Italian sausage, casings removed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small shallot, minced
2 1/2 c prepared tomato sauce (a 20 oz jar)
1/4 c heavy cream
1/2 c frozen baby peas
salt
1 lb bucatini or perciatelli
1/2 c freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
2 T shredded basil

In a large saucepan, heat oil. Add sausage and cook over moderately high heat, breaking up the meat into small pieces, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Partially cover pan and cook over low heat for 30 minutes. Stir in cream & peas, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Season with salt.

Meanwhile, cook pasta until al dente. Drain. Mix sauce, pasta, & 1/4 c cheese. Toss over low heat until some sauce absorbed. Transfer to bowls, top with remaining cheese & basil.

I always recommend a Chianti Classico with this dish.

Ok, so it's ripped off of Food & Wine, my bougie pleasure. Here's our substitutions:
just a little onion instead of shallot if we don't have one
we usually try to use plain sauce, usually Five Brothers or Bertolli or whatever they're calling it now, but we haven't found one that doesn't work
1 cup or more of regular frozen peas. We really like peas.
spaghetti, because I can't find the other two without trying
1/2 c of non-freshly shredded, whatever kind of Parmesean cheese I can find. Sometimes even Kraft. It's true. Please don't tell or I'll have my subscription revoked. And we generally just throw it all in because we forget.
We always play Sting while we eat it. Tucker's request. I know I'm not supposed to like Sting when they economy isn't doing well, but I do.

It takes about 20 mintues of active time, 1 hour total, and serves 6.

Easy Beef Stew

Perfect for these cool Fall days! I made a batch yesterday!
Very flexible! Add your favorite veggies...


1 pound of stew meat, browned
onion, I use a tablespoon of dried, minced but a small onion, chunked, is good too.
potatoes... I used a pound of baby reds this time but usually 2 russets, diced, work
carrots, 2 large ones peeled and sliced or chunked; whatever you prefer... I use 2 cups of baby carrots...
1 cup each of frozen (or fresh if you have it) corn and peas

Put it in the crock pot and add 2 cans of condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup AND 1 can of condensed Tomato Soup.

Cook for 3 hours or until your veggies are done... Cooking time depends on how big your chunks are!

Fantastic with fresh baked bread! (Or biscuits from a tube!!! Just need to be hot and dripping with butter!)

*Helpful Hint* Coat your crock pot with cooking spray first for faster clean up! *