Torellini Dinner`

Tortellini Dinner

From the kitchen of: Bill Furrelle Ingredients » 1 Tbsp olive oil » 1 large fennel bulb, trimmed, halved through core, thinly sliced » 1 lb spicy Italian sausages, casings removed, sausage coarsely crumbled » 1 8-ounce package sliced fresh cremini mushrooms » 4 large garlic cloves, pressed » 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream » 1 cup (or more) low-salt chicken broth » 1 16-ounce package fresh tortellini with 3-cheese filling » 1 5 oz package fresh baby spinach leaves » 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus additional (for serving) Directions 1 . Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat . Add sliced fennel bulb, sausage, and mushrooms; sauté until sausage is brown and cooked through and fennel is almost tender, 12 to 15 minutes . 2 . Add garlic; stir 1 minute . Stir in cream, then 1 cup broth; boil until liquid is reduced and very slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes . 3 . Meanwhile, cook tortellini in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally . Drain tortellini; return to same pot . 4 . Add sausage mixture to tortellini in pot . Toss over medium heat until blended . Add spinach; toss gently until spinach wilts . 5 . Stir in 1/2 cup cheese . Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with chopped fennel fronds, and serve, passing additional cheese .

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed my book! These recipes are all simple and perfect for a quick family meal . Some of them come from my own family members, including the spinach pie and the pancakes . The spinach pie recipe comes from my grandmother, and she made it for my dad, uncle, and aunt when they grew up . My mother now makes it for my family during the colder months . The idea of spinach in a pie sounds unappealing to some, but don’t knock it until you try it! The pancake recipe is my mother’s design . She made it when my sister was a toddler and they were living with my dad in Amesbury, Massachusetts . She actually got featured in a magazine for it! The secret ingrediant is the uncooked farina . To me, these pancakes are unmatched and immensly more flavorful than the average recipe . Plus, they are far more healthy! - Michaela Collins