Filled with Yummy Convenience

Today is Thursday. In our house we tend to turn to something Italian on Thursdays. How convenient, since today is also National Italian Food Day and Tortellini Day. Talk about the menu writing itself!

When Kiddo was maybe five or six years of age, he came to me with a plan. He said when he grew up, he wanted to take me to Italy and that we could eat our way through the entire country. As he got older (as is old enough to have wine with a meal) Italy was more and more appealing. But then Kiddo is like me, romanticaly in love with the idea of wine, cheese and the Tuscan Sun. Yeah, it’s still on my bucket list.

While I know this supper is far from authentically Italian, it is delicious. So let the wine breath as the bread warms, and enjoy a quite Thursday surrounded by family. Life does not get any better than this!

Italian Sausage and Cheese Tortellini
1/4 White Onion
4 Garlic Cloves
Flavored Olive Oil as needed
1 lb Mild Italian Sausage
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1 (24 oz) jar Pasta Sauce
1/4 cup Red Wine
1 (12 oz) package Cheese Tortellini
Fresh Basil for garnish

Note: Flavored oils can add flavor to your foods. Try an Italian Herb Olive Oil or, as I did Mushroom Enhanced oil for earthy tones.

Peel and mince both onion and garlic. Set aside.

Heat a splash of flavored Olive Oil in a large skillet. Crumble sausage brown in the oil along with the minced onion. Drain well, return sausage to the pan. Add minced garlic cloves, salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes for the flavors to come together.

Add pasta sauce. Pour wine into the empty sauce bottle, swirl to collect all the sauce still in the jar, then pour into the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes or until ready to serve.

When ready bring a pot of salted water to a full boil. Cook Tortellini according to package direction. Drain well, place Tortellini n a large serving bowl.

Pour Italian Sausage Sauce over the Cheese Tortellini. Ribbon cut fresh basil leaves, scatter over the pasta.

Serve with warm bread, a simple salad and an unassuming glass of wine.

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Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.