I am absolutely in love with this article I recently came across! Not because it’s incredibly profound or earth shattering, or because I’m Italian and LOVE to chow down, but because it’s wonderfully practical and teaches us to build a life of mission around things we already do….like eat! So check it out….and as the old Italian proverb goes: Chi mangia bene, vive bene!
(see the bonus recipe below for Spicy Penne as served in Jenny’s parent’s restaurant!)
http://theresurgence.com/2011/06/18/missional-meals
Bonus Recipe – Spicy Penne
(serves 12 hungry people)
1 TBS olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced (1 1/2 TBS if you buy the already chopped kind – you can do 2 TBS if you’re feeling lucky: )
2-3 tsps of red pepper flakes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 lbs of sweet or mild Italian sausage*
2 TBS of flour
1 14oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 14oz can of diced tomatoes
1 pint heavy whipping cream*
1 lb of penne or rigitoni pasta (or any pasta you might prefer)
* – For the health conscious, fat free half & half and/or turkey sausage…still great!
Heat oil in the pan on high. Turn down to med heat and add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook
for 2-3 mins or until you notice the garlic turning a nice golden color (don’t let it get too brown)
Add chopped onions, sautee for 7-10 mins.
Take each of the sausage links and with a knife cut off the thin casing around the sausage. When you finish, add them to the pan and cook until no longer pink. Be sure to use your spoon or spatula to break up the sausage into bite sized pieces while it’s cooking. When the sausage is fully cooked, add the 2 TBS of flour and stir until combined, about 2 mins.
Next add both cans of tomatoes, stir to combine and simmer for 5 mins. Finally add the cream and cook for another 5 mins. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over your pasta with bread and salad.
ENJOY!
Ken and Jenny Lang 