Ok, when your four year old asks you to make a dinner more often and your two year old just yells "More, More, More, PLEASE!!!!" you know you have a winner. Not only do I love this meal because it is delicious there is also no chopping. I love everything fresh, but I am not a sous chef so most of my time in the kitchen seems to be on chopping.
Two things to keep in mind with this meal. First and foremost make sure you have a pot that can go in the oven. Most of your mid-range to higher quality pots can. Make sure their is no Teflon and everything on it is metal. The other thing is that it cooks in the oven for 25 minuets so plan accordingly to make your household chores most efficient. I typically clean my prep dishes and fold a load of laundry. I am like a super hero with this meal.
Ingredients:
5 to 6 Italian sausages (feel free to use Turkey Sausage)
2 TBL butter
1 to 2 lbs of grapes - red, green or a combination
1/2 cup dry red wine (I suggest you get a kind you like to drink so then you can finish the bottle with dinner. I mean you did already fold the laundry:)
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 package of pasta - I usually use a spaghetti or fettuccini
Preheat oven to 500F
Destem grapes and rinse in a colander (afterwards just lightly rinse colander and use it for your pasta)
Parboil sausages - this means put the sausages in a pot of boiling water for 5-8 min it helps rid them of excess fat.
Start the water for your pasta and cook accordingly.
Meanwhile melt the butter on the stovetop in a larger pot. Add the grapes and toss them to coat for a few minuets on med-high heat. Stir in wine and cook until wine is reduce by about half, stirring occasionally.
Using tongs place sausages in pot pushing them down into the grapes. Place entire pot into the oven and cook for 25 minuets. I like to turn my sausages half way through so they are nicely browned on both sides.
Place pot back on the stove top over med-high heat and add vinegar. Stirring regularly for about 5-10 minuets until the juices are reduced about half.
Use your amazing Off Your Rocker Pottery plates (trust me the plates make this meal more enjoyable) lay down a bed of pasta and top with a sausage, grapes, and delicious sauce. ENJOY!
*Make sure you always keep in mind while stirring and serving that your pot is HOT! I know your not stupid you know a pot out of a 500 degree oven is hot but we many times go on auto-pilot and are use to the handles not being hot. Please constantly keep this in mind. I am clearly writing this as I have made this mistake myself :)
Lindsay Klix
Off Your Rocker Pottery
I’m trying this next week!