Twice Baked Savory Sage Sausage Potatoes

this pretty much sums up Mondays. 

As much as we fight it, it sneaks up on us...might as well fight back. This Monday was extra long [thanks to a faculty meeting] and chock full of annoying/ aggravating distractions. Thankfully, it was also full of sweet smiles, funny stories, and the occasional light-bulb moments courtesy of my cute 4th-grade-kiddos.

Dinner tonight was almost another frustration. However, my "use whatcha got" motto came through and made it all bettah! What was meant to be stuffed peppers turned into twice baked potatoes. See what had happened was....I came home to find mushy peppers- BLEH! Had some leftover potatoes from the potato soup I made this weekend, so with a little quick thinking...a new [[and improved]] recipe was born! 

Twice Baked Savory Sage Sausage Potatoes 

serves 4

Ingredients:

• 12 oz ground mild Italian sausage 
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tsp dried sage
• s+p
• a shake [or 2] red pepper flakes 
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 2 baked potatoes 
• [the easiest/quickest way to "bake" potatoes]

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut cool-to-the-touch potatoes in half. Carefully "hollow" out; reserving potato "innards" in medium-sized bowl. 
3. Meanwhile, brown sausage in a pan over medium heat. 
4. Add onions, sage, s+p, and red pepper flakes to browned sausage in pan. Cook for about 5-7 mins, or until onions are tender. 
5. Add finished sausage mixture to potato mash in bowl, mix in 1/2 cup of the cheese. 
6. Place hollowed out potato halves in a greased casserole dish [or cookie sheet].
7. Spoon potato/sausage mixture into potato halves.
8. Top with remaining cheese.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and melted. 
10. Garnish with some good ole' Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of parsley. 

my "hollowing" technique

tip: when making a salad on the fly-
those crushed pita chips [found at the bottom of the bag]
are a fabulous substitute for missing croutons

yummy pinot pairing










must go. the bachelor is calling.
yep. you read right. judge all you want.
the corny one-liners, stage 5 clingers and drama-filled monologues are
completely overrated/annoying/awkward + eye roll worthy.
however.
 I watch for the outfits, makeup, and pretty backdrops.
:true story: