Sausage and Summer Vegetable RISOTTO

Sausage and Summer Vegetable Risotto

My husband loves sausage and risotto because of this I decided to try and combine all of his favorites into one dish. This turned out so amazing. I love the creaminess of the risotto combined with the spicy sausage. What really helped with my dish is I received new Le Creuset Tri-Ply Pan and it ROCKS! It made cooking risotto so easy. It retains its heat and works an amazing ways. Whoever owns Le Creuset Pans know what I am talking about. I will never use anything else.

Anyway, this is the perfect summer meal it light and contains all the flavor of summer. I hope you try it!! Enjoy!!!

4 Tb oil

4 TB butter

1 lb hot sausage

1 vidalia onion

1 red pepper

4 garlic cloves (Minced, I grated mine with the Microplane)

1 small zucchini

1 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 15oz can of fire roasted tomatoes

2 cps. risotto

6 cps. of White Wine and Herbs Chicken Broth (New!!! This Broth rocks!!!)

salt and pepper

1/2 cp. fresh parm

1/2 cp. fresh basil

1. First of all, I cooked the sausage by browning all sides. I let it sit 15 minutes and then cut it into thin angles slices. I then browned them. My husband likes them a little crunchy. I put that a side.

2. I added oil and butter to my Le Creuset pan and let it get hot. I added the onions and peppers and cooked for a few minutes. I then added the zucchini, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Cooked about 5 minutes. (until soft) I then added the 2 cups of rice and tossed to coat with the butter and oil.

3. At this point I added the broth 1/2 a cup at a time. I continued to stir. DO NOT STOP. This makes the risotto creamy. When all of the broth is absorbed I add the next 1/2 cp. of broth. I continue this step until the risotto is soft and creamy. I then added the tomatoes, cheese, and sausage. Toss and cook for a few minutes. Add the fresh basil at the end.

Serve warm

ENJOY

Angel Food Cake with Three Berry Syrup and Homemade Whip Cream

My husband favorite is Angel Food Cake. I make it on a regular basis. This time I picked up blackberries and blueberries from the farmers market so I decided to make a syrup from the berries and of course make the homemade whip cream. (I never buy whip cream any more. As long as you keep Heavy Whipping in the fridge....You can make whip cream whenever you want)

This turned out really good. Can I just say, After I was done using the whip cream and syrup I folded it together. It tasted like a berry mouse!!!! It was so yummy!!! I could of ate it by itself!!!!

Angel Food Cake

(The best Recipe ever is on Allrecipes.com)

12 egg whites

1 cp. King Arthurs Flour (What you have on hand)

1 1/4 cp. powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp. creme tartar

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1. Let the egg whites sit for 30 minutes. When ready beat the egg whites. Add the cream tartar, vanilla, and salt. Beat. Add the sugar 1 Tablespoon at a time.

2. Sift the flour and powdered sugar together and then fold 1/2 cup at a time.

3. Grease the tube pan. Add the batter 1/2 cp at a time. Swirl with a butter knife in the batter to get the air bubble out.

4. Bake on 350 for about 45 minutes.

Three Berry Syrup

1 1/2 cp. blackberries

1 1/2 cp. blueberries

1/2 cp. strawberry jam (I made homemade jam)

1/2 cp. sugar

3 TB corn starch

1 cp water

1. Boil everything together until it thickens. I put the syrup through sifter to get the chunks out.

Whip Cream

1 cp. Heavy cream

1/4 cup. powdered sugar

1. Beat until thick. (Don't over beat it will turn to butter)

Simple and Healthy Veggie Dip

This is so simple and I am sure I am not the first person to come up with this. But I had to post this because it tasted so wonderful, it was simple and it is healthy. I was looking for a yummy and healthy snack and I had more Oikos Plain Yogurt. I took a packet of Ranch mix and added into the Plain Yogurt. I added about a little at a time and tested the yogurt at the taste I liked. I used about 16 oz. of Nonfat Greek Plain Yogurt and used one bag of Ranch mix. Let me just say, this was so satisfying and so yummy. Next time you need a good and healthy snack give a try.

While I was eating this dip, I thought it would taste wonderful with a salsa and cheese layer dip.

If anyone would enjoy that for a healthy alternative.

I hope you enjoy!!