Sausage & Eggs over Brussel Sprouts

I love this meal. Tasty, comforting and satisfying. And SO easy to make. One of my best friends introduced me to it years ago, and I've been playing with it ever since. But the essentials remain: savory chopped brussel sprouts with a broken egg yolk sauce. Just yum. 

YIELD 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

        1 1/2 pounds brussel sprouts, rough-chopped

        1/2 onion, chopped

        6 sausage links, precooked and sliced

        1 tablespoon minced garlic

        4 to 8 eggs (1-2 eggs per dish)

        1 avocado

        salt and pepper to taste

        1 tablespoons oil (coconut is my favorite, but if you use olive oil, just make sure the heat doesn't get too high)

INSTRUCTIONS

    1.     Heat oil and garlic in a skillet

    2.    Add chopped brussels and onions, allow to cook for 8-10 minutes (until tender)

    3.    Toss in cooked sausage rounds, season with salt and pepper, and turn heat to low

    4.    Fry eggs (1-2 per person) over easy/medium

    5.    Dish up your hash, and top with eggs and sliced avocado

Sausage Egg Skillet

I love the presentation of this yummy one-pot meal! What do I love even more? How easy it is. Everything goes in the skillet, you cook it up, and serve. Done and yum.

YIELD 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

        4 links sausage, precooked and sliced

        4 to 6 eggs

        1 bell pepper, chopped

        1/2 onion, diced

        5 ounces, cherry or grape tomatoes

        1 medium zucchini, chopped

        2 to 4 large mushrooms, sliced

        1 teaspoon salt

        A couple dashes of black pepper

        A bit of oil for sautéing (coconut is my favorite, but if you use olive oil, just make sure the heat doesn't get too high)

INSTRUCTIONS

    1.    In a bit of oil sauté onions and sausages on medium/low heat for a few minutes, adding 1 teaspoon of salt

    2.    Toss in peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes and allow to cook until the peppers begin to get tender, 5-10 minutes

    3.    Crack eggs into mixture and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper

    4.    Place baking sheet over skillet (I use my pizza baking sheet) and allow eggs to steam for 4-6 minutes, depending on how done you want the yolks

Chicken Sausage, Kale & Potato Soup

Hearty and delicious, I think you'll really enjoy the flavors of this soup.

* Potato thoughts

YIELD 4-6 servings

INGREDIENTS

        4 chicken sausage links, precooked

        4 small potatoes, diced (no need to peel)

        1/2 bunch kale

        5 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

        1 cup carrots, peeled & chopped (about 1 large carrot)

        1 cup celery, chopped (about 1 large stalk)

        1/2 tablespoon minced garlic

        1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (to taste, depending on how salty your stock is)

        1/4 teaspoon black pepper

        1/2 teaspoon cumin

        6 cups liquid (depending on how much chicken or veggie stock I have, I just supplement with water and adjust salt accordingly)

INSTRUCTIONS

    1.    Add 2 diced potatoes to stock, along with salt, pepper and cumin, cover and bring to a boil

    2.    Once it reaches a boil, reduce to a simmer and keep covered for 5-10 minutes, until potatoes are soft enough to blend

    3.    At this point, what I do is take the pot off the burner and carefully use my immersion blender right in there. If you're worried about getting splashed or don't have an immersion blender, just transfer to a regular blender and do it that way.

    4.    Once the broth is blended and silky, return to simmer and add garlic, kale, carrots and potatoes - cover and simmer for another 5 minutes

    5.    In a skillet, sauté celery and sausage rounds until sausage is nicely browned

    6.    Then toss in tomatoes, celery and sausage, simmer until veggies are tender

Slow Cooker Sausage Eggplant Stew

Another slow cooker gem! Big flavors and easy prep make this another one of my favorites. And the eggplant soaks up all that flavor, while adding it's own subtle sweetness. Love it.

* I used spicy pork sausage for this recipe, but if you're not into spicy, feel free to substitute with something milder. Keep in mind though, if you sub chicken sausage you'll be getting less fat. It will still be yummy, but will affect the richness of the stew.

YIELD 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

        1 pound uncooked spicy pork sausage

        1 medium eggplant, cubed

        1 medium onion, chopped

        4 medium tomatoes, chopped

        1 bell pepper, chopped

        1 tablespoon butter

        1 tablespoon minced garlic

        1/2 teaspoon coriander

        1 teaspoon salt

        1/2 black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

    1.    Prepare your vegetables and toss into the slow cooker with the butter, garlic, coriander, salt and pepper

    2.    If your sausage is still in the casings, carefully slit them open, peel off, and break the sausage up, combining it into the contents of the slow cooker

    3.    Cook on high for 3 hours or until sausage is completely done

Chicken Sausage, Onions and Peppers over Cauliflower Rice

I love this dish; simple and tasty. Sausage pairs so well with sautéed peppers and onions, because of the wonderful combination of salty with sweet. Add a bit of jalapeño heat and it's something pretty special. As well as a great excuse to whip up some yummy cauliflower rice. Win, win, win.

YIELD 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

        4 links chicken sausage, sliced (pre-cooked)

        1/2 medium onion, diced

        1 bell pepper, chopped

        1 tablespoon pickled jalapeños, diced (optional)

        1 small head cauliflower (for rice)

        Salt and pepper to taste

        Oil for sautéing (coconut is my favorite, but if you use olive oil, just make sure the heat doesn't get too high)

INSTRUCTIONS

    1.    Prepare cauliflower rice and set aside

    2.    Sauté onions on medium-low in a bit of oil for a few minutes, until nearly translucent

    3.    Add peppers and cook for a few minutes

    4.    Next add cauliflower, jalapeños, salt and pepper and cook for a few more minutes, until cauliflower is as tender as you prefer

    5.    Set this mixture aside for a bit while you prepare the sausage

    6.    Keep the pan warm and toss the sausage in - cook as package instructs, or until thoroughly heated

    7.    Serve sausage over veggies and cauliflower rice and enjoy :)