I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to spend so much time in New York City, and probably the best part was spending so much time with family and friends. A few weeks ago I shared my dance teacher Janice’s story and this video to show how much she has inspired all of her students along the way and to try to get her on The Ellen Show. The last dinner she and her boyfriend John cooked for me was one of her favorites from Giada de Laurentiis. The flavors are all wonderful for spring and when I tell you Janice and John are two of the best cooks around…this is an absolute truth. I cherished my time spent with both of them this winter and as Janice is fighting her fight with pancreatic cancer, I created a lighter version of this wonderful recipe for my readers, but also in honor of this beautiful woman inside and out. So, that is why I named this dish ‘Prayers For Janice Fennel Pasta”
Ingredients:
1 Package Sweet or Spicy Turkey Sausage De-cased
1 Shallot
3 cloves garlic
2 Fennel Bulbs Sliced
1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes
3/4 Cup Dry white wine or chicken stock
Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Black Pepper
Optional:
Fennel Seed
Crushed Red Pepper
Arugula or Spinach
Pasta of your choice: Orreccetti , Bow Ties or Shells (All I had was whole-wheat spaghetti, but I liked it better with the shells)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 and slice bulbuls of fennel. Toss in olive oil, sea salt and pepper to taste. Lay on a baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes until tender. Toss tomatoes in olive oil, sea salt and pepper add them to fennel during the last 10 minutes of baking.
On the stove bring a pot of water to boil and cook according to directions. In a separate pan add a splash of olive oil and add chopped shallot and cloves of chopped garlic. You can add some crushed red pepper and fennel seed here if you wish. De-case the sausage by cutting the outside and pulling the meat out and add it to the pan. Cook the sausage as you would chopped meat. Once it is browned add liquid in the form of wine or stock to deglaze the pan. Turn heat to low and let simmer another 5 minutes until meat is tender and cooked through.
Once veggies are done add fennel and tomatoes to meat mixture. Add pasta and stir in some fresh arugula or spinach for an added health kick!
Janice…I love you always my sister, mentor and beautiful friend! Keep fighting!
Love and Kick Pancre-ASS,
Taylor