Well, I had this huge bag of spinach from Costco so I needed to use it before it went bad and we just got these amazing chicken sausages also from Costco, Aidells Smoked Chicken Sausage, Italian Style with Mozzarella Cheese. And I have just gone to Chelsea Market and the pasta place there just made some fresh pumpkin Tortellini and the dish was born, it is very simple to make – enjoy.
Ingredients
2 lbs. of fresh Pumpkin Tortellini cook as instructed, reserve 1 cup of pasta water
1, 12oz package of chicken sausage, sliced up
4 cups of fresh spinach
4 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup of freshly grated Asiago Cheese
2 shallots, minced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
6 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves removed from stems
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
freshly grated nutmeg
Red pepper flakes to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil
Directions
As tortellini is cooking, place a large deep skillet over medium heat and drizzle with oil. Once the oil starts to shimmer, brown the sausage in batches. Once done drain fat from the skillet and add butter, melt, then add shallots, red pepper flakes, and seasoning, sauté until soft. Next add lemon juice, thyme, and garlic, stir, followed by spinach and some grated nutmeg, remove from heat to allow spinach to wilt.
In a large bowl place ½ the cheese and the pasta water and whisk to melt cheese, then add the mixture from skillet and toss to coat.
Now layer the dishes, first place the spinach mixture on serving plates, using tongs, then add the sausage, then the tortellini, spoon the remain liquids from the spinach bowl over pasta, and sprinkle with cheese and serve.
Enjoy Cooking