Zimmy's Nook

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Hot Italian Sausage

Ontario Pork – Hot Italian Sausage Quick, Easy & Affordable Paella

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One of my favourite aspects of cooking is finding fun, delicious and creative ways to transform a single ingredient into a variety of dishes; packed with different flavours, for different meals or occasions. It’s no secret that I support local pork farmers and embrace the the versatility of pork. So, I went to a local butcher and picked up some Ontario Pork, Hot Italian Pork Sausage; to have some fun, and create 3 recipes – breakfast, lunch and dinner!

I LOVE Paella, but when you add Saffron Threads, chicken, imported chorizo and loads of shellfish, it becomes an expensive, special occasion meal! This recipe uses Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausages, mussels, shrimp and paprika to create a soul satisfying meal that can be enjoyed every week!

Ontario Pork Hot Italian sausage paella in soup bowls and Hestan NanoBond pan.
Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage Quick, Easy & Affordable Paella
Ingredients
  • 2 large Ontario Pork Hot Italian sausages
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (if pan frying sausages – 4 tbsp, divided)
  • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 jalapeño, chopped (remove seeds optional)
  • 8 oz pickled roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
  • 1 lb arborio rice
  • 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped (+ more for garnish)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups of water
  • 1 lb wild jumbo shrimp, shell on
  • 1 lb fresh mussels
  • 1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
Paella ingredients of sausage, shrimp, onion, peas, red peppers, peas, mussels, rice, tomato sauce, jalapenos and spices.
Paella Ingredients
Preparation

Preheat the grill to medium heat.

Grill the sausages, over direct heat (lid closed), until browned and fully cooked (8-10 minutes, turning 4 times). Remove sausages, thinly slice and reserve.

Alternatively, in a large skillet (with a lid), heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat, add sausages and cook until browned and fully cooked (8-10 minutes). Remove sausages, thinly slice and reserve.

Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan, then the onion, jalapeño, peppers, and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat, add paprika, tomatoes, parsley, broth and water. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Stir in the shrimp, mussels, peas and sliced sausage. Cover and continue cooking until the shrimp are opaque and mussels open, 5 to 7 minutes.

Note:

If too much water has been absorbed prior to adding seafood, add ½ cup more water at a time, until seafood is properly cooked.

Ontario Pork Hot Italian sausage paella in soup bowls and Hestan NanoBond pan with bread and gold spoons.
Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage Quick, Easy & Affordable Paella
  • Serves: 6
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 30 min

Hope you enjoy this recipe! I would love to hear your feedback in the “comments” below!

This recipe was created in partnership with Ontario Pork. Opinions in this post are my own

I’m sure there are thousands of meal ideas that work perfectly transforming delicious Ontario Pork Sausages into meals for any time of the day or any day of the week, but I’m curious… “What will you make next?”

Check out all 3 of my Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage recipes:

Ontario Pork – Hot Italian Sausage on a Bun

by 2 Comments

Ontario pork hot Italian sausages with peppers and onions in a blue cast iron skillet and on a bun on a black plate. Three bowls of mustard
Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage, Peppers and Onions

One of my favourite aspects of cooking is finding fun, delicious and creative ways to transform a single ingredient into a variety of dishes; packed with different flavours, for different meals or occasions. It’s no secret that I support local pork farmers and embrace the the versatility of pork. So, I went to a local butcher and picked up some Ontario Pork, Hot Italian Sausages; to have some fun, and create 3 recipes – breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Sausage on a bun with peppers and onions is a classic for a good reason! The spicy Ontario Pork Sausages is balanced perfectly by the sweet peppers and onions. An ideal lunch or gameday day meal, but most importantly sure to impress your guests!

Ingredients
  • 4 Ontario Pork Hot Italian sausages
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ cup Italian red wine
  • 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 4 fresh sausage buns, optional
Ingredients laid out including hot Italian sausages, peppers, basil, sausage buns, garlic oil, chili flakes, wine, onion, tomato sauce and olive oil.
Recipe Ingredients
Preparation

Preheat the grill to medium heat.

Grill the sausages, over direct heat (lid closed), until browned and fully cooked (8-10 minutes, turning 4 times).

Heat olive oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat, add the peppers, onions, salt, and pepper and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the oregano, basil, and garlic and cook 2 more minutes.

Add the tomato paste and stir. Then add the wine, tomatoes, and chili flakes…stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits. Bring to a simmer.

Add the grilled sausage to the pan and stir to combine. Cook until the sauce has thickened (5-10 minutes).

Split the rolls in half lengthwise (I suggest toasting on the grill or under the broiler for one minute). Fill the bottom half of the roll with pepper/onion mixture and top with sausage. Serve sandwiches immediately with a selection of hot, regular and sweet mustard.

No grill, no problem! – heat ¼ cup olive oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook until brown on all sides (8-10 minutes). Remove from the skillet and drain.

Keeping the pan over medium heat, add the peppers, onions, salt, pepper and continue as above.

Ontario pork hot Italian sausages with peppers and onions in a blue cast iron skillet and on a bun on a black plate. Three bowls of mustard.
Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage, Peppers and Onions
  • Serves: 4
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min

This Sausage on Bun recipe was created in partnership with Ontario Pork. Opinions in this post are my own

I’m sure there are thousands of meal ideas that work perfectly transforming delicious Ontario Pork Sausages into meals for any time of the day or any day of the week, but I’m curious… “What will you make next?”

Check out all 3 of my Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage recipes:

Ontario Pork – Hot Italian Sausage Frittata

by 2 Comments

One of my favourite aspects of cooking is finding fun, delicious and creative ways to transform a single ingredient into a variety of dishes; packed with different flavours, for different meals or occasions. It’s no secret that I support local pork farmers and embrace the the versatility of pork. So, I went to a local butcher and picked up some Ontario Pork, Hot Italian Sausages; to have some fun, and create 3 recipes – breakfast, lunch and dinner!

We started the day with an Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage Frittata recipe! Truly, a perfect way to ‘kickstart’ the day, relax over brunch, but also a delicious, midweek dinner solution.

Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage Frittata in a red cast iron skillet and a slice on a black plate with a black fork.
Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage Frittata
Ingredients
  • 8 large free run eggs
  • ¼ cup whole milk (or 5% cream)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (+ more for garnish)
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (+ more for garnish)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 Ontario Pork – Hot Italian Sausages, casing removed
  • 1 sweet red pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, seed removed, chopped
  • 8 ripe cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1 cloves garlic, chopped
  • Salt to taste
Ingredients for frittata laid out on a wooden board including, hot Italian sausage, eggs, tomatoes, peppers, milk, celery, salt and pepper.
Italian Sausage Frittata – Ingredients
Preparation

Preheat broiler and set rack to middle of oven.

Whisk together eggs, milk, chives, parsley and pepper. Set aside.

Cook sausage in 10” ovenproof cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside. Drain excess fat.

Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red pepper, onion, celery and jalapeno, cook until soft (stirring frequently 4-6 minutes). Stir in garlic and cooked sausage (cook for 1 minute more).

Pour egg mixture over sausage/vegetable mixture and lower heat to medium. As mixture begins to set, use a spatula to gently lift cooked portions and allow uncooked egg to flow underneath. Cook until bottom is set, and top is beginning to set. Place skillet under preheated broiler until frittata is puffed and set, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage Frittata in a red cast iron skillet and a slice on a black plate with a black fork and a red cup of black coffee.
Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage Frittata
  • Serves: 4
  • Prep Time: 8 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min

This Hot Italian Sausage Frittata recipe was created in partnership with Ontario Pork. Opinions in this post are my own.

I’m sure there are thousands of meal ideas that work perfectly transforming delicious Ontario Pork Sausages into meals for any time of the day or any day of the week, but I’m curious… “What will you make next?”Paragraph

Check out all 3 of my Ontario Pork Hot Italian Sausage recipes: