Ingredients

• 3 fresh hot italian sausages
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 medium leeks, green + white parts only, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 ribs of celery, chopped
• 1 tsp hot pepper flakes
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1.5 cup mixed cooked grains*

Method

1. Cook sausages in a 4 qt (or so) pot until done. Remove to a plate and slice into bite-sized pieces. Set aside for now.
2. Add oil to the pot and heat over med. Toss in the leeks, onion, garlic, celery, pepper flakes, and thyme. Saute for 7-8 mins.
3. Return sliced sausages to the pot, and saute for another 2-3 mins.
4. Add diced tomatoes with juice. Heat until simmering then turn down to low. Simmer on low for 30 mins or so.
5. Add beans and grains and continue to simmer for at least 20-30 mins. Longer is better.

That’s it. Excellent vehicle for cholula sauce and crusty buns.

* I do a 2:2:1 combo mixed grains of quinoa:hulled barley:wild rice. It’s crazy yummy and useful for lots of things.