Cilantro Chicken Sausage with Roasted Tomatoes over Sauteed Kale and Penne

Rustic Cilantro Chicken Sausage, Roasted Tomatoes, Sauteed Kale and Penne

This was a culmination of a couple f things I had seen as well has prepared in the past. The meal when finished had so many rustic flavors I have to admit I had 2 large helpings the first night and a bowl for the last 2 days since then. This meal does not disappoint, and I hope you feel the same way!

Basking in Olive oil before roasting

Roasted Tomatoes
4-6 medium Heirloom Tomatoes
2 cloves of garlic peeled
Olive oil
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Cut tomatoes in half then quarter, put in a large bowl, add peeled garlic. Pour about 1 Tbsp. of Olive Oil all over the tomatoes and garlic. Have baking sheet either covered in foil or parchment paper. Place tomatoes on baking sheet seed side down and also place garlic on sheet. Roast appx. 30 minutes. Let set for a few minutes and pinch outer skin off of tomatoes.

Cilantro Chicken Sausage with Roasted Tomatoes
4-5 Chicken Cilantro Sausage Links
4 basil leaves
pinch of red pepper flake
Lightly grease a covered casserole dish. Put sausage links in casserole dish, add roasted tomatoes and garlic, cover and put back in oven. Cook covered for additional hour.

Ready to roast in the oven another hour!

Sautéed Kale over Whole Wheat Penne
1 box Whole Wheat Penne
1 bunch Lacinato Kale
3 cloves garlic
2-3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 fresh basil leaves chopped
Large shallot sliced
1 cup of Heirloom salad leftovers pureed (see earlier entry-Heirloom tomatoes, olive oil, lime and cilantro)
1 tsp. Red Pepper Flake
Salt and pepper to taste

Clean Kale leaves and remove stems. Chop Kale on a diagonal in ½” strips. In a large skillet, heat oil and garlic. Add Kale and begin sautéing, mixing well for appx. 4 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes, shallots, basil, red pepper flake, salt and pepper to taste, stir well. Cook an additional 4 minutes or until kale is tender.
Cook penne and drain while kale is cooking.

Sizzling Kale in Heirloom tomato broth

Put the pasta in large serving bowl, pour kale mixture over penne and toss together. Put sausage and roasted tomatoes on top; sprinkle with grated parmesan and voila! I would think if you did not have leftover salad to puree a vegetable stock would work but I would spice it a little with some dried cilantro and maybe a splash of lime. The Lacinato Kale is a little heartier but others should work as well. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did! Bon Appétit! Peg