Is everyone ready for Vegan Mofo? Well I am. Heck, I always am. Vegan Mofo starts tomorrow and meanwhile I have entered a recipe into the Mezzetta Sandwich Contest and I want to share it with you. While folks are scrambling to enter their fav "meat eating recipes" I simply threw together some classics and veganized my sammie.
When I think of Mezzetta, I think Italian. Their contest entries usually include a cold , hot , and vegetarian categories and one must use at least two types of products. You can read more about the contest at www.mezzetta.com or www.makethatsandwich.com.
I decided on an old classic - Italian Sausage and Onions with Peppers. While I prefer to make my own, my husband had picked up a new flavor of Tofurky sauages last week and what a perfect time to try them - Spinach and Pesto flavor. (Quite tasty, I might add!)
I used a combination of fresh bell peppers and bottled, then added some pepperoncinis as well. Sweet and spicy! After searing the onions, peppers and sausage, I deglazed the skillet with a little Marsala and added a jar of Mezzetta Mediterranean Olive Spread then finished cooking the sausage with the peppers.
It was amaaaazing! Soften up a little Follow Your Heart Mozzarella on the bread and tuck those beauties into a Kaiser roll ...and get ready to swoon!
Anybody remember that song by Dean Martin, That's Amore...(" when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie..."), well, this sammie is Mezzetta Amore for certain!
Mezzetta Amore` Italian Sausage and Peppers Sammie
4 Italian sausage links (I use Tofurky Spinach and Pesto)2 Tbsp Mezzetta Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil1 each yellow and green bell pepper, sliced into 2 to 3 inch long strips½ cup Mezzetta Roasted Red Bell Peppers5 Mezzetta Pepproncinis, chopped4 garlic cloves, minced1 medium red onion, sliced1 jar Mezzetta Mediterranean Olive Sandwich Spread1/2 cup Marsala wineSalt to taste1 cup shredded Follow Your Heart Mozzarella4 Kaiser Rolls, split in halfHeat the olive oil over medium heat in a cast iron skillet. When the oil is hot, add the sausages and brown them slowly. Cook for several minutes, turning them occasionally so they brown on all sides. When the sausages are browned, remove from the pan and set aside.Increase the heat to medium high and add the onions and peppers. Toss with the oil in the pan and sear them, stirring every so often. Once the onions and peppers soften, sprinkle with salt. Add the garlic and roasted red bell peppers, diced pepperoncini and cook for 1 more minute.Add the Marsala wine to the skillet and scrape down the bottom of the pan to release all the browned and blackened bits. Let the wine cook down by half.Add the sandwich spread and stir well to combine. Return the sausages and peppers to the pan and simmer on low heat another 15 minutes.Sprinkle each Kaiser Roll with some vegan cheese and then the Tofurky sausage, topping off with the onions and peppers.Enjoy.