Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwich

Serves 4.

Note: Here, the flavors of fennel, garlic and pepper-spiked sausage nicely complement the sweet, slightly smoky peppers. For more zip, use a mix of spicy and mild meat. From Beth Dooley.

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 1 lb. bulk Italian sausage, mild or hot or a combination

• 4 Italian frying peppers (Cubanelles), seeded and sliced into 1-in. strips

• 1 large or 2 small onions, sliced thin

• 2 garlic cloves, smashed

• 1/4 c. dry white wine

• 1 loaf Italian or French baguette, sliced lengthwise

• Hot sauce for garnish, optional

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the sausage, and cook, using a spatula to break up the meat, until the sausage is browned and no longer pink, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Drain and discard all but 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat. Add the peppers, onions and garlic to the pan, stir and lower the heat a little. Cover the pan and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Remove the lid, stir in the wine and add the cooked sausage back to the pan and continue cooking until the liquid has evaporated. Spoon the sausage-pepper mixture into the sliced loaf. Cut into 4 sections and serve with the hot sauce passed alongside.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories355

Carbohydrates41 g

Protein20 g

Fat12 g

Saturated fat3 g

Cholesterol27 mg

Sodium920 mg

Total sugars8 mg

Dietary fiber4 g

Exchanges per serving: 2 ½ starch, 2 medium-fat protein.