Title: Italian Sausage
Categories: Italian Pork
Yield: 6 Servings

1 1/2	lb	Italian sausage, cut into
		Links
1		Oil
1	sm	Onion, diced
1	lg	Green pepper, diced
3	lg	Cloves garlic, sliced
16	cn	Tomato sauce or whole
		Tomatos, smooshed
6	cn	Tomato paste
1	ts	Sugar (to cut acidity of
		Tomatos)
8	oz	Red wine
1	lg	Bay leaf
		Plenty oregano, basil,
		Marjoram
		Pinch each thyme, rosemary
		Dashes ground fennel, red
		Pepper flakes (optional)
		Lots Parmesan cheese
6	oz	Fresh mushrooms, 1/2'd or
		1/4'd
1		2 slices American cheese (I
		Know, heretical but good)

Contributed to the echo by: Debra Heng SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

In a dutch oven, brown the sausages well (still in their casings) in a little olive oil. Use tongs to remove sausage to top of pot lid. Drain off fat if necessary, leaving about 1 T in pot. Toss in onion, green pepper and garlic and stir to coat, scraping up the brown bits from bottom of pot. Let cook for about 2 minutes, just 'til the onion and pepper begin to soften (do not brown). Return sausage to pot and stir in tomatos or sauce, paste, sugar, wine, seasonings and Parmesan. Simmer for 45-60 minutes.

Meanwhile, saute mushrooms in a dab of butter, dash of olive oil, sprinkle of marjoram or basil and paprika. Add the mushrooms and any juice in the pan to the saucepan during last 15 minutes of cooking. Add optional American cheese a few minutes before serving, let melt & stir in. This really mellows out the sauce.

Tips: You can brown pork shoulder blades or spareribs along with the sausage. Gives a great flavor and provides a 2nd meat course if you're having company. Use more or less wine, depending on whether you're using whole tomatos or sauce. Just aim for a nice thick sauce. Leftovers make great sausage sandwiches. I freeze mine a lot for quick meals later.

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