Sausage and Peppers with Beer and Cilantro

If there is one recipe that people ask me to cook again and again for them- its this one. Sausage and Peppers is a well known Italian dish. Who doesn't love it? However, this version kicks the ass of quintessential sausage and peppers recipes. The best part about this dish is the sauce. Soak it up with some nice french bread and you will see why. So tonight, mix up your grandmothers's traditional recipe with this one and see what you think. Enjoy!

The Recipe: serves 4-5

2 Tablespoons Regular Olive Oil

4-8 Italian Sausage links

2 Red Bell Peppers

2 Green Peppers

1 Large Red Onion

3 or more Garlic Cloves

1 1/2 Bottles of beer (no light beer)

1 6oz Can Tomato Paste (use more if you use more sausage)

Few Shakes Dried Oregano

3 or more Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro

2 or more Tablespoons Hot Sauce (Crystal, Franks)

Salt

Pepper

Parmesan cheese

1.Cut red and green peppers into thin strips

2.Cut red onion in half and cut into thin half rings

3.Chop garlic finely and set peppers, onion and garlic aside.

4.Heat the olive oil in a large pan/skillet and bring to medium heat

5. Add the sausages and brown on all sides.

6.Transfer sausages to a plate and cover with foil. Set aside.

7.Take pan off the heat and pour in 1 bottle of beer. Scrape up brown bits on bottom with a wooden spoon.

8.Place pan back onto heat (medium) and add red and green peppers, onion, and garlic

9.Add a tomato paste and coat everything with spoon

10.Add oregano, hot sauce, and cilantro (add as much as you like, all to your own taste)

11.Cover pan for 15 minutes, lower heat to medium-low and stir every few minutes until ingredients cook down.

12.Cut sausages into coin like slices

13.Add sausages and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

*Add more beer if sauce is too thick.

14.Serve immediately!

* Best served with Parmesan cheese on top

See, I told you it was good ;-)

The cilantro and beer really create a shockingly delicious combination with traditional Italian ingredients. The secret to this dish is to use good beer i.e leave Bud Light behind for this one. When you are drinking, be my guest. However, when you are cooking, it is a different ball game. I personally use beer that is a little more full-bodied such as a lager, but choose what you like. Remember, the amount of ingredients that you use should be to your own personal taste. If you like more garlic add more garlic. If you like it spicy add more hot sauce, use hot sausages, or add cayenne pepper.