Herbal bean sausages

12 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2cupsCooked pinto beans
½cupWhole wheat breadcrumbs
½cupOnion, minced
1Garlic clove; minced
½cupTomato sauce
teaspoonFennel seed, crushed
1Red bell pepper; minced
cupVegetable broth or water OR- more as needed
4largesMushrooms; minced
¼cupOnion; minced
Salt; to taste
teaspoonDried red pepper
teaspoonDried basil; -OR- Fresh basil
teaspoonChopped fresh parsley
Salt; to taste
teaspoonCelery seed
½teaspoonChopped fresh oregano
1dashBlack pepper
Whole wheat flour (pastry flour works best)

Directions

MUSHROOM-RED PEPPER SAUCE

These plant-based sausages taste great, contain no added fat except the vegetable oil they're fried in, and are easy to make. These ingredients yield fairly mild sausages; after you've tried them, adjust the seasonings to please your palate.

DIRECTIONS: =========== Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, mix thoroughly, and shape into 1- to 2-inch sausages. Saute in a small amount of vegetable oil until crisp, or place in a baking pan and broil, turning when edges are slightly crisp. Serve with Mushroom-Red Pepper Sauce (below).

MUSHROOM-RED PEPPER SAUCE: Cook red pepper in vegetable broth for 5 to 7 minutes until tender. Add mushrooms, onion, salt, celery seed, oregano, and black pepper. Cook 5 minutes longer or until onion is transparent. Quickly whisk in enough flour to just thicken the sauce, about 2 tablespoons at a time. Immediately remove from burner. Do not overcook, or flour will cake. If needed, add more vegetable broth or water. Serve over sausages, whole grains, or vegetables.

* Source: Karen Iacobbo, in The Herb Companion, October/November 1993 * Typed for you by Karen Mintzias