Amanda Shalaby is here with a recipe that reminded me of Carlo… Yum! Off to buy sun-dried tomatoes and enjoy!
Don’t forget to check out an excerpt from Amanda’s book Bleddyn Hall after the recipe – you can pick it up FREE on Kindle Unlimited!
Amanda:
I’m always on the lookout for a fast, easy and delicious meal since, well, I can’t order out ALL the time – but I need as much time later in the day to work on my next book! It takes about 40 minutes from prep to cooked and feeds about six people (which for just me and the hubby means leftovers)!
Fusilli with Sausage, Artichokes, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
3/4 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced, 2 tablespoons of oil reserved
1 pound Italian hot sausages, casings removed
2 (8-ounce) packages frozen artichoke hearts
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
16 ounces fusilli pasta
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan, plus additional for garnish
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
8 ounces water-packed fresh mozzarella, drained and cubed, optional
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Heat the oil reserved from the tomatoes in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook until brown, breaking up the meat into bite-size pieces with a fork, about 8 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a bowl. Add the artichokes and garlic to the same skillet, and saute over medium heat until the garlic is tender, about 2 minutes. Add the broth, wine, and sun-dried tomatoes. Boil over medium-high heat until the sauce reduces slightly, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fusilli in boiling water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta (do not rinse). Add the pasta, sausage, 1/2 cup Parmesan, basil, and parsley to the artichoke mixture. Toss until the sauce is almost absorbed by the pasta. Stir in the mozzarella. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve, passing the additional Parmesan cheese alongside.
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis
Bleddyn Hall
After a whirlwind romance during the London Season, Lady Isabel Sutton finds herself quickly engaged to the handsome Lord Tresham Bleddyn, Earl of Dancy. When his father passes away suddenly, however, his period of mourning delays their marriage and ruins the season for Tresham’s younger, twin sisters, Annalise and Rosamund.
After the girls invite Isabel to their Yorkshire home, Bleddyn Hall, Tresham seems an entirely different man than the one she fell in love with in London. Not only that, but all is not well within the walls of Bleddyn Hall. The house’s dark secrets lead to murder, mystery, and a gruesome discovery.
Was Isabel’s happy future with Tresham nothing more than an illusion? What is more, will she survive her stay at Bleddyn Hall?
Excerpt from Bleddyn Hall:
Lord Easton was all smiles at the buffet table. “I am delighted with our table, Lord Dancy,” he said, filling Rosamund’s plate with lobster rolls, crab puffs, and smoked salmon sandwiches. “It is a great pleasure to be seated with yourself and your sisters. And your partner, Lady Isabel, is certainly very charming.”
The pronouncement of Lady Isabel’s name left Lord Dancy unequal to a response. The very suggestion of her made it impossible for him to give his current surroundings any attention. There was nothing to do but admit the truth to himself. He was unequivocally and wholly besotted with her. So much so that his passions would rival the most love-sick schoolboy who ever felt the power of a first love.
What was it, he wondered, that drew him to her so strongly? To be sure, she had all the characteristics of a well-bred lady, but such qualities were found in abundance throughout the Tyrwhitt’s ballroom. She was beautiful, as were many of the other young women in attendance. Perhaps it was the self-doubt in her expression—an expression in direct contraast with the over-confidence of the female masses. He prided himself on having the keenest of observations when it came to the human spirit, and in his opinion Lady Isabel knew not how lovely she truly was. Her humility amidst the overflow of vanity displayed by the general crowd was attractive, indeed.
Not that it was Lady Isabel’s humility he saw in his mind’s eye as he filled their plates mindlessly, not at all enjoying the display of seafood before him. Rather, everywhere he looked the solid gold hue of Lady Isabel’s amber eyes met him, nay, hypnotized him and held his mind captive to the image so he nearly lost his plate beside Lord Easton.
“As to Lady Rosamund,” that gentleman went on, coloring, “I feel particularly honored to have escorted her to dinner. She has, as you are certainly aware, the most unassuming temperament one could ever hope to meet with. Such modesty is of the rarest sort. I cannot recall having been previously acquainted with anyone who could ever hope to find themselves equal to it.”
This extended praise of his youngest sister forced Tresham’s unwilling mind to focus his attention on the awkward gentleman beside him. His assessment of Rosamund was by no means unjustified, for she was above all tender and unpretentious, not to mention his particular favorite. But such notice of her by any man brought all his brotherly caution to the surface.
Tresham’s gaze had an unsettling effect upon Lord Easton, who, in his eagerness to please, fumbled on. “I am sure I am not the first to detect her excellent qualities. They are so infinitely superior to the majority they must be plain to anyone so fortunate as to gain an introduction to her.”
“Lord Easton,” Tresham said, uncertain as to whether the interruption of his thoughts or the attention to his sister was the more bothersome, “you do my sister great credit, and I thank you. Pray excuse me as I return to our table, for my plates are quite full.”
“Oh, yes, indeed, Lord Dancy,” said a glowing Lord Easton. “I shall meet you there directly.”
(Free on Kindle Unlimited!)
About Amanda:
Amanda L. V. Shalaby’s passion for all things Jane Austen was inspired by her mother and grandmother. She now writes her own historical romantic mysteries, and is the author of Rhianna and Audra. Her latest novel, Bleddyn Hall, is a gothic Victorian mystery and romance set in both London and Yorkshire.
When Amanda is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Matthew, her Shih Tzu dogs, Isabella and Huntley, and her Persian cat, Sebastian.
Thanks for hosting me today, Irene! It’s a pleasure to be here 🙂
Thanks for coming. This recipe is right up my alley. Pasta is a fall-back for a quick, delicious meal!