Sausage & Bean Ragout

This is very satisfying on a winter evening!

Ingredients

• 1/4 c olive oil
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb hot Italian pork sausage, casing removed
• 2 large onion, chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 c vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1/2 c chopped fresh basil leaves
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes seasoned with garlic, oregano and basil
• 2 (16 oz) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 c uncooked elbow pasta
• 2 (6 oz) packages fresh baby spinach leaves, washed
• 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Heat oil in saucepot over medium-high heat. Add beef, sausage and onion and cook until meats are browned, stirring to separate meat. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
2. Add broth, basil, tomatoes and beans. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add pasta and cook until pasta is done.
3. Add spinach and cook just until spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Serve with additional cheese.

Asian Wings

First, full credit for this recipe goes to Pioneer Woman!!  I snagged this recipe from Food Network who hosts her show.  I hope you enjoy these as much as we do.

Ingredients

• Canola oil, for frying
• 24 chicken wings
• 3/4 c plum jelly
• 1/4 c soy sauce
• 1/4 c rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 c brown sugar
• 2 TBS minced fresh ginger
• 2 TBS minced red onion
• 1 TBS minced garlic
• 1 TBS red pepper flakes (less of you'd like less heat!)
• 3 to 4 assorted hot peppers (serranos, jalapenos, and so on), minced fine
• Thinly sliced (julienne) carrots and cucumber, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Heat 3 inches of canola oil in a heavy pot to 375 degrees F.
2. Add half the chicken wing parts to the oil and fry them until they're golden brown and fully cooked, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the other half of the wing parts.
3. Add the plum jelly to a bowl. Then stir in the soy sauce and rice wine vinegar. Add the brown sugar, ginger, red onions, garlic, red pepper flakes and hot peppers. Stir to combine, and then pour it into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the sauce until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Then turn off the heat.
4. Place the wings in an ovenproof dish and pour the sauce over the top, reserving some sauce for serving. Toss to coat, and then bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
5. Place the wings in dishes, and then spoon extra sauce over the top. Serve with cool vegetables to go with that delicious heat.