Recipe extraordinairo

Here is an extraordinary recipe prepared by an authentic Italian maestra-cook (and friend). It is called: 


Fusilli with Sausage, Artichokes, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes.

The basic ingredients:

3/4 drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced, 2 tablespoons of oil reserved

1 pound Italian hot sausages, casing removed

2 (8-ounce)packages frozen artichoke hearts

2 large cloves garlic, chopped

1 3/4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine

16 ounces fusilli pasta

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan, plus addtl for garnish

1/2 cup fresh, chopped basil leaves

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

8 ozs water-packed fresh mozzarella, drained and cubed, optional

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Instrucciones:

Heat the oil reserved from the tomatoes in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat.  Add the sausage and cook until brown, breaking up the meat into bite-sized pieces with a fork, about 8 minutes.  Transfer the sausage to a bowl.  Add the artichokes and garlic to the same skillet, and saute over medium heat until the garlic is tender, about 2 minutes.  Add the broth, wine, and sun-dried tomatoes.  Boil over medium-high heat until the sause reduces slightly, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook the fusilli in boiling water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes.  Drain the pasta (do not rinse).  Add the pasta, sausage, 1/2 cup Parmesan, basil, and parsley to the artichoke mixture.  Toss until the sause is almost absorbed by the pasta.  Stir in the mozzarella.  Season to taste, with salt and pepper.  Serve, passing the additional Parmesan cheese alongside.

Here are a few pics of the process:

 This is what the garlic and artichokes look like after browning over a medium heat for two minutes.

And this is what it looks like after adding broth, wine and sun-dried tomatoes.  Boil all this for approximately 8 minutes until mixture is slightly reduced.

We've reached the point here where we've added the pasta, sausage, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, basil, and parsley to the artichoke mix.

And now, the piece d'resistance, the mix served over a bed of fusilli pasta.  Perfecto, maginifico.

Finally, the orchestrator of this magnificent repast, and the wife of a lucky man, and a friend of lucky guests.  Wow, what a meal!!!