Open Nature Sausage & Tortellini Soup

[#1]

Here’s a great recipe I tried last week. It was developed by Marlene Sorosky Gray who’s a culinary advisor to Safeway and award winning author of eight cookbooks. This dish is perfect for a cozy meal at home or to serve at a potluck. It serves six and can be made up to 2 days ahead (my kind of dish!). I made a few substitutions/adjustments given the girls preference for mild flavors - Open Nature Mild Italian Sausage instead of Andouille, O Organics Low Sodium Chicken Broth instead of beef broth, and I cut back the dried herbs to 1 TBSP each. It was a hit! Give it a try and let me know what you think!

•    1 tablespoon O Organics™ Extra Virgin Olive Olive Oil
•    2 onions, chopped (about 2 cups)
•    3 large cloves garlic, minced
•    1 package (12 oz.) Open Nature™ Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausage, sliced
•    1 package (32 oz.) O Organics beef broth
•    2 cans (14.5 oz. each) O Organics diced tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano
•    1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
•    1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
•    1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot
•    1/3 cup dry red wine, optional
•    1 1/2 tablespoons dried thyme
•    1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
•    1 package (9 oz.) Safeway SELECT™ refrigerated Four Cheese Tortellloni, regular or whole wheat
•    Primo Taglio™ shredded Parmigiano Reggiano

   1. In a soup pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot.  Add onion, garlic and sausage and sauté until onions are tender, 5 minutes.
   2. Stir in beef broth, diced tomatoes with juice, zucchini, carrots, bell pepper, wine, if using, thyme and oregano. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 35 to 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Cooled soup may be refrigerated up to 2 days, if desired.)
   3. Before serving, bring soup to a gentle boil over medium high heat. Stir in tortelloni, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Divide among soup bowls and top with cheese.

[#2]

I just purchased 4 - 12 oz packages of the Open Nature Mild Italian chicken Sausage...It NEVER occurred to me that PORK casings would be used in the making of chicken sausages..As we try to eat Biblically kosher, I am going to have to return these to the store.

There are other options for casings....why would something that is chicken, all vegetarian fed, also contain pork?  I do take some responsibility for not reading the ingredient list thoroughly...but still amazed that the casings are pork.

[#3]

Sharon, we appreciate your feedback. We’ll be sure to inform our Corporate Brands Team of your comments. If you would like to speak with our Corporate Brands Team directly, feel free to contact them at 1-888-723-3929.