Farmer’s Market Series: Abundance: Recipe: Sausage, Beans & Greens
This is my second to last recipe from dishes I made from my first foray into the world of local produce. These are meals from 2 weeks ago that I haven’t posted yet. So here we go, one more installment…
See, there is a lot you can do with greens. This little Farmer’s market series is my attempt to use a lot of the same ingredients in a variety of ways, so that you aren’t stuck in a rut wondering what to do with an over abundance of greens. These are some of the greatest of cooking challenges – what to do when you have TONS of one ingredient. How do you keep it interesting and tasty night after night? Of course you can freeze some, which I did do, but even at that you have a lot to contend with. These are the types of things I am going to challenge myself with this year – Farmer’s Market purchases, buying produce on sale and trying to keep my food bill down by getting really creative with what is available. I am going to try to take this seasonal eating as serious as possible. I am sure I won’t be perfect, but this is a resolution that I am trying to keep. Already I am noticing that I have a lot more energy. I was sick but only for 3 days instead of a week. These are small things, but not insignificant. I have also been interviewed and will be featured in a magazine article out in March about abundance and how to get creative with the food we got. More on that later.
Anyway onto the recipe…
INGREDIENTS:
6 organic chicken sausage links
3 TBS olive oil
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 small onion, diced
1can CiCi (garbanzo) beans
2 TBS tomato paste
8 oz. Can plum tomatoes w/ juice
2 cups assorted greens (chard, beet, spinach)
salt & pepper to taste
splash of white truffle oil
METHOD:
In a skillet place sausage in one inch of water. Boil water and turn sausage frequently. When water is gone, add olive oil to pan and shake pan to coat the sausages. Brown sausages on one side. Add the onions and garlic. Turn sausages and brown on other side. Add beans, tomato paste and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer. Add greens. Salt & pepper to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes. Finish with a splash of white truffle oil. Can serve over pasta, potatoes, with rice or just by itself.
Peter - January 23, 2008 at 11:43 am
You should call this a TKO dish ’cause it’s a knock out. Very rustic, right down to the cast iron casserole.
Heather - January 23, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Wow, Mrs. Fancy Pants (or should I say *future* Mrs. Fancy Pants) – gratz on the magazine interview!
That dish looks just like the kind of thing I want to eat all the time.
Judy - January 23, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Love this dish. What great colors!!!
courtney - January 23, 2008 at 2:04 pm
My Certain Someone would love this. Gives me idea on how to use some Red Swisss Chard I purchased the other day at the produce stand.You know he loves his sausages!
Ben - January 23, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I guess we all will have to get very creative with our dishes pretty soon (with the economy going south) Supporting the local markets and buying big lots of the same ingredients is a way to start eating smart. I will follow these recipes very closely. This are great ideas
Cheers!
Suzana - January 23, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Jenn, that’s a great resolution! My hubby’s family and some close friends of ours own more than a farm. I’m lucky because I often get free, high quality organic vegetables and fruits – I know all about having tons of greens that MUST be cooked and eaten in a short period of time. No need to say I ADORE this recipe!
Marie - January 23, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Very rustic,comforting,hearty and healthy! I love some of the chicken sausages they have out now, they’re so flavorful. Congrats on the interview Jenn, how exciting!!
Jen in MI - January 23, 2008 at 6:21 pm
This looks amazing. I can’t wait to try it!
Kevin - January 23, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Looks good! The sausages look nice and plump. I like the use of the greens in this dish! I have not done much with chard, kale, beet leaves, etc. Spinach I have all the time though.
Cynthia - January 23, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Jenn, you are such a tease, look at that first shot. Even if some’s not hungry they’d suddenly have cravings looking that photograph.
Congrats on the magazine gig!
MyKitchenInHalfCups - January 23, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Jenn I love doing this kind of dish. I’ve got 2.5 pounds of spinach I’ve got to use before Sunday when we head to California.
Good for you on the magazine article!! That’s super neat.
Laurie Constantino - January 24, 2008 at 1:24 am
It’s beautiful and I can tell it’s tasty. I’ve never had a dish of garbanzo beans that I didn’t love. As for blogging, I’m like you – terribly backlogged. I’m despairing of ever catching up, but seeing that I’m not the only one who’s behind makes me feel a lot better!
Emiline - January 24, 2008 at 2:06 am
Hey! Guess what I bought at the store tonight? Beets, goat cheese, and arugula. They hacked off the beet greens, which irritated me. The beets are a little sad, but I’m going to use them anyway.
I’ve had turkey sausage, but never chicken. Going to look for those.
Bellini Valli - January 24, 2008 at 11:38 am
I long for all the wonderful in season fruits and veggies of summer. Sigh!
kellypea - January 25, 2008 at 2:56 am
This looks so yummy! We just had some sausage, chard, white beans and pasta…right up the same alley. We circle around beets in my house, though.
The Leftover Queen - January 25, 2008 at 10:37 am
I am so glad you all liked this dish. Thanks for the great comments and feedback. Sometimes you wonder if you are not being creative enough – but I always enjoy a nice rustic meal, especially this time of year.
Thanks Peter! You know I just love my cast iron skillet. It is the pan I use the most in my kitchen. I wish I had a few more sizes!
Thanks Heather! I am really excited about the article! I will cetianly give more details when it comes out – I am superstitous! 😉
I could eat this everyday too, my kind of food!
Thanks so much Judy!
Yes Courtney! Those are magical flavors together – chard and beet greens with nice sausages!
Thanks Ben, I agree. We have to start gettng smart in our consumerism. Supporting local businesses is the way to go! I am so glad you are enjoying the recipes.
Thanks Suzana! Wow, you are so lucky! I always wanted to have my own farm – but not now. I am still a nomad at heart, I am not settled enough yet – not even for a garden at this point, but it is something that I hope to have in the future.
Hi Marie! Thanks! I do love my pork, but chicken, especially the organic ones are really flavorful and they come up with more creative ingredients. But no sausage will ever beat my Grandfathers’. Man those were GOOD.
Let me know how you like it Jen!
Kevin! I love the world of greens. They just add so much richness to a dish. I encourage you to try more of them!
Thanks Cynthia! I love dishes like this, so very unassuming.
Tanna! Try some of your spinach with sausage! It is sooo good! Have a great trip!
Laurie, I am awful. I love my blog, but sometimes, if I sit at the computer for too long, my head explodes. I just can’t take long periods of time. I am with you on the garbanzo bean love.
YAY Emiline!!! I hope you like the dish! It is really good. I like turkey sausages too – especially the ones with maple syrup for breakfast!
Hey Valli! It will come, I promise!
Perfect Kelly! Sounds great! No beets? Have you tried them roasted? You might change your mind… 😉
Ivy - January 25, 2008 at 2:39 pm
What a nice and healthy recipe although I’ve never tried chicken sausages. Congrats on the interview.
katie - January 26, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Beans and greens and pork – perfect!
We eat very seasonally and have since we moved here. Of course, one actually has to eat the veg – but I think it does help keep us healthier!
katie - January 26, 2008 at 4:49 pm
The French wouldn’t dream of grinding up chicken for a sausage….
The Leftover Queen - January 26, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Thanks Ivy!
I know, Katie, such a great combo! Yes, it is really good for you! The French are missing out! 😉
Judy - January 30, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I made this dish last night and it was amazing. I think you would have to be pretty tough to have this over rice, or anything. I thought it stood well on it’s own!!!