TJ’s Balsamic Marinaded Veggies with Rice Pilaf & Sausage

I think everyone can appreciate an easy and quick meal. I made this one fairly simple by using a packages of Trader Joe’s Misto Alla Griglia or marinated eggplant, zucchini & red peppers. The veggies come frozen, marinated in balsamic and Italian spices/herbs so I wanted to play off those flavors for this meal. Plus, I was working with what I already had in the pantry.

So what I gathered up was some ground spicy sausage, a can of whole tomatoes, rice and spaghetti. I couldn’t choose between rice or pasta so I made rice pilaf!

Check out my notes to see how you can make this meal even more simple and substitutes you can use for certain ingredients.

2 large servings

Ingredients

• 1 T butter

• 1 c rice

• 2 T of spaghetti chopped up into 1/2 inch pieces

• 2 1/4 c chicken stock (or water)

• 8oz ground hot sausage

• 1 package Trader Joe’s Misto Alla Griglia

• 1 14.5 oz can whole peeled tomatoes

• 2 t all purpose seasoning

• 1 t + 1/2 t umami seasoning (optional)

• 1 T white balsamic vinegar

• parmesan cheese for topping

Directions

1. Start by adding the butter, rice and pasta to a sauté pan on medium heat. Mix until the butter is melted, then added the stock or water, cover with a lid and cook for about 35 minutes or unti rice is fluffy.

2. Meanwhile in a pan on medium heat add the ground sausage to the pan and cook until done, about 8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and then add the frozen vegetables. Cook until thawed and then add the whole tomatoes from the can (tomatoes only, not the sauce). Use your spoon to breakdown the whole tomatoes into pieces. Add in a teaspoon of the all-purpose seasoning, the umami seasoning and vinegar. Mix together, cook for 3 minutes and then remove from the heat and toss in the sausage.

3. When the rice is done mix in a 1/2 teaspoon of the all-purpose seasoning. Serve the pilaf topped with your veggie and sausage mixture. Top with grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

Rice Pilaf: I used brown rice because its what I had, but feel free to use white rice as well. You can also use a package of mix instead of making your own to make this recipe that much easier.

Ground Sausage: I used hot sausage but you can also use regular Italian flavor, chicken sausage or whatever you’d like.

Chicken Stock: Use chicken stock or bouillon if you have it on hand, if not you can use water. I used this water this time but will definitely use chicken stock next time for more flavor.

All-purpose Seasoning: My all-purpose seasoning is the Noble Made brand and includes garlic powder, salt, ground mustard seed, black pepper, lemon peel, apple cider vinegar powder, rosemary, basil and lemon juice powder. I you don’t have a similar blend I recommend adding as many similar spices you may have and some lemon juice.

Umami Seasoning: This ingredient is optional but its what I used in this recipe when I made it so I wanted to include it. You could always add your own fresh mushrooms to this dish to get a similar added flavor.

White Balsamic Vinegar: You can substitute regular balsamic for this. I prefer white because it has a lighter flavor and taste, but I’m sure regular would taste good too.