Whole Grain Linguine with Sausage Meatballs, Shiitake,Fennel and Kale
This is an extremely nutrient packed pasta dish that is actually quite light on the palette! Use a whole grain pasta that is either a medley of grains and vegetables or 50/50 whole wheat and semolina! Since the sausage is already seasoned and the broth adds saltiness to this dish, the only seasoning used is the aleppo pepper!
1 Package whole grain pasta such as linguine or fettuccine (Ronzoni is good)
1 lb ground Italian sausage made from heritage pork
10-12 large shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 32 oz package mushroom broth (Pacific is good)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4-5 garlic cloves, sliced
pinch of aleppo pepper flakes
1 small leek , sliced including green
1 small fennel bulb,stem and fronds, sliced
2 bunches lacinato or tuscan kale, ribbed and finely sliced into shreds
1/2 pint grape tomatoes
parmesan or romano ribbons for garnish
Make tiny meatballs from the ground sausage, not more than 1 inch in diameter
In a small chef pan on medium heat, cook the meatballs and mushrooms in 1/2 cup of the mushroom broth
In a very large frying pan, heat the olive oil to shimmer and
sauté the garlic, leek and fennel with the pinch of aleppo pepper
add the sausage and mushroom mixture and half of the remaining mushroom broth
add kale and tomato , stir and simmer for 10 minutes
Meanwhile cook pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water to slightly under al dente
drain and add all of the pasta to the vegetable mixture, add remaining mushroom broth
stir and serve with parmesan or romano ribbons
A dry riesling wine is a perfect choice! Enjoy!!
Variations: Gluten free pasta can be substituted and for a vegetarian version eliminate the sausage and add twice as many shiitake mushrooms seasoned with tuscan seasoning! ( I like Victoria’s Gourmet)