Hot Turkey Sausage, Roasted Garlic and Tri Color Peppers A Olio, over Basil Whole Wheat Spagetti

Yummy and relatively low calorie!

Ok, time to loose the weight!!  Been saying that for years, and been cooking like Paula Dean for years..... and I am still fat.  Trying to make some..... healthier..... recipes that still taste good. This was quite tasty, and only about 600 calories per serving.... mostly because it has about 4 tbs of olive oil in it.  But NO butter!!!  This was pretty much a "whats in the pantry" dish - feel free to change things around!  Olive oil, basil and garlic powder measurements are..... approximate... lol.

Ingredients:

3 hot turkey Italian sausage sliced into 1 inch chunks...( Ok, kind of an oxymoron, I know.. but .... think HEALTHY)
about 2 cups frozen tri color peppers
2 heads of garlic, tops cut off ( about 3/4 from the bottom)
4 tbs olive oil, reserved
about 1 inch around, whole wheat spaghetti
garlic powder - 1 tsp
dried basil 2 tbs, reserved
1 tsp salt
fresh shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Pre heat oven to 400 degrees.  When up to heat, place garlic heads on baking sheet ( cover with foil to save washing later), and drizzle with a bit of olive oil.  Roast for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.  When done, pull out, and squeeze out cooked cloves ( I use a paper towel to hold the head and avoid the heat) Mince garlic, and put aside.

As the oven is warming, ad 1 tbs olive oil to a 10" saute pan over med-high heat, and begin to cook.  Stir frequently, until sausage is browned on all sides.  Deglaze the pan with a little white wine, or water and scrape up the brown bits, and cook down till thick.  Add 2 - 3 tbs olive oil, 1 tbs basil, and 3/4 of the roasted garlic, minced, and the frozen peppers.  Simmer until savory and done - about 5 minutes  - total cook time is about 20 minutes total.  Save the remaining 1/4 roasted garlic for a salad dressing, or pasta sauce - will last a week or so in the fridge.

When you put the garlic in, in 3 qt sauce pan, fill about 2/3 with water, add 1 tsp salt, garlic powder and a tbs of dried basil.  Bring to a boil, then add spaghetti.  Stir occasionally, about 15 minutes until slightly al dente.  When done, drain water, sprinkle with garlic powder, 1 tsp or so basil, a little Parmesan cheese ( the kind in the canister from a store - fine powder - not fresh shredded) salt and pepper, and about 2 tbs olive oil.  Stir to mix well, and cover to keep warm..

All of the pieces should be done about the same time  - in about 20 - 25 minutes.  Place about 1/3 of the pasta on a plate, and cover with sausage/pepper mixture.  Top with a sprinkle of dried basil and fresh grated parm cheese.  Fresh basil would be awesome with this dish, if you have it.

Enjoy - Bon Appetit!