Food For Thought: Need a vacation? Take a taste tour of Europe!

What if we could hit London, Amsterdam and Munich in the same day? We may not be able to physically see everything, but we could certainly taste our way through all three fabulous cities, couldn’t we?

Here are three tastes from three European favorites, enjoy!

Peter’s English Sausage Rolls

My British father (Peter) made these when I was growing up. I liked to dip them in mustard; my dad ate them plain. They’re greasy and tasty all at the same time. Something you exercise that 10% rule with! (90% of the time, you eat really healthy. 10% of the time you have fun!).
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Servings 12 rolls

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound sausage meat my dad used Farmer John’s bulk breakfast sausage
  • 1 17-oz package frozen pastry sheets (Pepperidge Farm), thawed
  • 1 egg beaten
  • Dijon mustard optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Unfold the pastry sheets carefully, and cut along the fold lines to make 6 equal squares; there are 2 sheets, so you will have 12 squares total.
  • Divide the sausage into 12 pieces and roll them into little logs. Now roll the dough around the logs, place on a jelly roll pan and brush with the beaten egg.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes or until they are puffed and golden and the sausage is cooked inside.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Next up on our tour is Amsterdam. The Dutch have a ground beef casserole called Mansaka that isn’t a lot like this one, but I know you’ll love this!

Mexican Casserole

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Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups penne rigate or mostaccioli, 8 oz. – uncooked
  • 1/2 pound extra lean ground beef cooked and drained
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 small red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 27.5-oz. jar spaghetti sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups black beans 14 oz. can — drained and rinsed
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 4-oz. can chopped green chilies drained
  • 1/2 .75-oz. package reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix if available or use regular
  • 1/2 cup low-fat Monterey Jack cheese 2 oz.

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
  • In a skillet, brown your beef and drain well, blotting with paper towels to pick up the extra grease. Meanwhile, in large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil; add onion and red pepper.
  • Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until tender. Add cooked beef to onion/pepper mixture, mixing well.
  • Add remaining ingredients except cheese; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.
  • Toss hot pasta and one-half sauce. Spoon remaining sauce over top; sprinkle with cheese.

Notes

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve with a big green salad and a bowl of those cute baby carrots!
VEGETARIANS: Skip the beef and you’re there!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Last but not least, let’s head to Germany!

Oktoberfest Kielbasa

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Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 green apples peeled, cored, chopped
  • 2 large onions chopped
  • 1 32-oz. jar sauerkraut
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 pounds kielbasa sausage Hillshire Farms makes a good low-fat variety, sliced diagonally

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, bring the apples, onions and sauerkraut to a simmer over a medium heat. Once the apples have softened and onions have wilted, add the brown sugar and mix well. Now add the sausage pieces, simmer for another 5 minutes and serve!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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