Sausage Pie
Heat oven to 400º.
In large skillet, cook over medium heat:
1lb sausage
1 med. onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Stir frequently, until sausage is no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain.
Stir into skillet mixture:
1 can (15 oz., or about 2C) tomato sauce
1 box (9oz., or about 1C) corn (thawed)
1 4.5oz jar sliced mushrooms (drained) or 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
Heat to boiling; remove from heat.
In medium bowl, mix together, then beat vigorously 30 seconds:
2/3 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup flour
1Tbl sugar
2tsp baking powder
1/4tsp salt
½ cup milk
2Tbl oil
1 egg
Stir in 1/3 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese.
Spoon sausage mixture into ungreased 1-quart casserole dish.
Pour cornmeal topping over sausage mixture, spreading evenly.
Bake uncovered 20-25 minutes, or until topping is golden brown.
Recipe credit: Betty Crocker Cookbook, 11th Ed.
The first time I made this recipe was in the fall, after Tyler had harvested a bunch of mushrooms. We love mushrooms! But what to do with a grocery bag full of them? Hence this recipe: A recipe that uses ingredients we already have; it’s a winner. Since then, I’ve had to buy mushrooms, but still have at my disposal frozen corn and peppers, canned tomatoes, and of course, plenty of sausage.
With anything that goes into the skillet, take the liberties to alter amounts, and even ingredients. Have some extra salsa in the bottom of that jar? Throw it in. Not a fan of mushrooms? Leave it out. Try using ground beef instead of sausage (I suggest you add your own spices).
Recipes are a starting point. They are one side of the marriage. The other side is what I find in my pantry, refrigerator, and (in season) garden. The dinner creation that is born resembles both ‘parents’, but is it’s own unique thing, rarely duplicated the same way again! It’s what makes cooking, eating, and even growing and raising food interesting.
This is a wonderful ‘go-to’ recipe, especially in the winter when you need some warm comfort food. I always prioritize ‘one-pot-wonder’ meals, and this is one. A great dish to share, because of that too! Several of my friends are having babies this winter, and I’m looking forward to making this dish as a gift when I visit the new ones!