Monday, September 19

Spicy Sausage and Roasted Eggplant Pasta

I came across a recipe in a magazine my sister-in-law gifted to me but of course I can never leave well enough alone.  By the time I was done with making the recipe, it was pretty much my own.  Plus, eggplants were on sale at the grocery store a few weeks back and it was the perfect opportunity to come up with my own version.  Can I just pat myself on the back?



























'Cause it was amazing.

That probably sounds really conceited.

But it was.  Really.

Give it a whirl.  You'll be glad you did.  

OH!  By the way.....just a little PSA for you all.  The recipe called for ricotta (low fat of course, which we all know I don't do) so I picked up some organic ricotta.  Not because it was organic (that part was a bonus), but because the price was right and it was whole fat ricotta rather than the low fat/no fat traditional brands.   Ohmylanta, was it GOOD.  I am usually indifferent to ricotta, but this stuff......seriously??!?!?!?!  This is what I've been missing?  Folks, once you go whole fat, you'll never go back.  For reals.  

Notice the garden fresh tomatoes and cucumber on the salad.  Sigh.....I miss summer already!

Spicy Sausage and Roasted Eggplant Pasta

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 large eggplant, cut up in 1/2 inch cubes
Salt and Pepper
8 oz. small piece pasta (I used whole wheat penne)
1/2 cup onion, diced
8 oz. spicy sausage  (I use the habanero chicken sausage from Costco), cubed
1/2 tsp oregano
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp capers
2 Tbsp red wine
1 Tbsp vinegar (I used rice)
1/3 cup parsley, minced
Salt
Ricotta cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place cubed eggplant on a baking sheet (I used my baking stone).  Drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Roast in preheated oven for about 25 minutes, stirring eggplant about half way through the cooking.  Eggplant will be tender and smaller in size when finished.  Remove from oven and set aside.

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook pasta according to package directions.

While pasta and eggplant are cooking, in a separate skillet, over high heat add onion and sausage with several drizzles of olive oil and cook until sausage is starting to brown and onions are translucent.  (My sausage comes fully cooked, so I was just heating it through.)  Reduce heat to medium and add oregano, garlic, tomatoes, capers, red wine, vinegar, and eggplant.  Allow sauce to heat through and reduce slightly.  Stir in pasta and parsley, reserving about 2 tablespoons parsley for serving.

Serve pasta with a generous scoop (about 2 tablespoons) of ricotta on top and sprinkle with remaining parsley.



♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This recipe is linked to:

Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday
Blessed With Grace Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Designs By Gollum Foodie Friday
Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Friday Potluck at EKat's Kitchen
Hearth 'n Soul Recipe Swap at Premeditated Leftovers

La Bella Vita's Fresh Clean and Pure Friday 
Miz Helen's Country Cottage Full Plate Thursday  





9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yummo! I love eggplant - can't wait to make! For reals?! Haven't heard that from you in a long time - you're too cute & funny, 'lil sis. :)

Candace said...

You should definitely pat yourself on the back with this one. It looks fantastic! I love it that you made it your own. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

Cara@HomespunKitchen said...

This looks divine! Would love to have you stop over sometime!

Cara

http://homespunkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/freezer-cooking.html

Katie said...

I am so with you on the whole fat dairy issue :)

SnoWhite said...

that looks fantastic. I'm a huge fan of full fat ricotta... once you try it, it's impossible to go back.

Carla and Michael said...

That looks and sounds mouthwatering. Is the sausage as hot and spicy as it sounds? I might have to dial that down a little.

Jennifer said...

I came across your blog on Designs by Gollum and I love your post!

I would love it if you would drop by Jane Deere and link up to Fusion Fridays with your favorite or most recent recipes, handmade crafts, diy projects, tips & tricks, and how to's! { open through Wednesday! }

Jane Deere

Alea Milham said...

I can never leave a recipe alone either. I just keep tinkering until it is completely my own. Your spicy sausage and eggplant past looks and sounds wonderful, especially with full fat ricotta! Thank you for sharing your recipes with the Hearth and soul Hop.

Miz Helen said...

Hi Jackie,
You always make it happen, you are truly one of my favorite cooks! This looks awesome, I want it right now. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen

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