Valentine's Day Family Dinner
Pasta and Cookie Heart Pizza Are Festive Foods for February 14
Jan 20, 2008
Traditionally, Valentine's Day dinner meant the parents would dine out at a restaurant and the children would be stuck home with the babysitter. But, a holiday like Valentine's Day can give you a great excuse to plan a special family food event--one in which you can include both children and parents in the preparation. However, that means the meal you create has to be easy, tasty and fun. Consider this simple main course: Penne Pasta with Sausage and Peppers, which can be the base for your special meal. Featuring pasta with sauteed sausage, bell peppers and tomato, this dish cooks up in about 30 minutes. Plus, the splashes of red from the pepper and tomato adds an appropriate color to this dish.
And, because it's Valentine's Day, don't forget about dessert. Is there a kid alive who doesn't wish he or she could live on pizza? On this dessert variation for Valentine's Day, we've a created a peanut-butter cookie heart-shaped pizza.
With this entire dinner for your Valentine's Day celebration, from the pasta to the cookie heart pizza, adults and children alike can celebrate Valentine's Day dinner together.
Penne Pasta with Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- 3 small red onions, peeled
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 12 ounces fresh sweet or hot Italian sausage links, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 large yellow bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound penne
- 1/4 cup capers, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
- 1 large tomato, coarsely chopped
- Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Cut the onions into 1/2-inch-thick slices. In the saute pan, cook the onions and garlic over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sausage and peppers to the onions and garlic and continue to heat. Cook about 5 minutes more or until the sausage is brown. Drain off the fat from the sausage.
- Stir the penne into the boiling water; add a pinch of salt and a dribble of oil. Cook the pasta for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender but slightly firm.
- When the peppers are soft, add capers , and salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir the mixture until the pasta is ready.
- When the pasta is tender, drain and place in a large bowl. Pour the vegetable mixture over the pasta. Toss in the tomato and basil. Serve.
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