Rigatoni with Spicy Chicken Sausage, Asparagus, Eggplant, and Roasted Peppers
- 2 red bell peppers
- 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound spicy Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
- 8 ounces dried rigatoni
- 1 baby eggplant (about 6 ounces) stemmed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- Position a rack in the oven 6 inches below the broiler and preheat the broiler.
- Put the peppers on a baking sheet and put it under the broiler.
- Roast, turning the peppers with tongs a quarter turn every couple of minutes, until charred on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes total.
- Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let the peppers steam for 10 minutes to loosen the skins.
- Using a paper towel, rub the charred skins off the peppers.
- Carefully remove the cores, stems, and seeds, and slice the pieces lengthwise into thin strips.
- Reserve any liquid the peppers release.
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and salt it generously.
- Add the asparagus and cook for 1 minute; drain and rinse under cold water.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Transfer the sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously.
- Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions.
- Drain and return the pasta to the warm pot.
- Add 3 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet, add the eggplant, season with salt and pepper, and cook until brown and just tender, 5 to 6 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Add the roasted peppers with any reserved liquid, asparagus, sausage, and vinegar and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more.
- Transfer the sausage mixture to the warm rigatoni and add the Parmesan, parsley, and remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and stir to combine.
- Taste the pasta and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Transfer to a large bowl and serve immediately.
red bell peppers, extravirgin olive oil, chicken sausage, rigatoni, baby eggplant, kosher salt, garlic, red wine vinegar, parmesan cheese, parsley
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/brian-boitano/rigatoni-with-spicy-chicken-sausage-asparagus-eggplant-and-roasted-peppers.html (may not work)