Shaker Gourmet: Sweet Italian Sausage Stew

The recipe this week comes from Shaker judybrowni:

Sweet Italian Sausage Stew
* oil to coat bottom of pot
* 1-2 pounds of Sweet Italian Sausage -- chicken or pork, or one of each. (optional -- 1/2 - 1 pound hamburger, if you like stew meatier.)
* 1-2 onions (chopped)
* 1 or more chopped or sliced garlic cloves (use as many of you like!)
* 1-2 large cans of chopped tomatoes
* 1 16 oz bag of frozen green beans (or fresh, or canned) (Optional: substitute -- or add -- chopped celery, green squash, or any other green vegetable you may have on hand and/or 1 or more chopped yellow, orange, red or green bell peppers -- yellow, orange, red add a nice contrast in color, and better flavor than green, in my opinion)
* water or broth
* hearty pinch -- or more! -- black pepper
* salt to taste.

Cut sausage into rounds and brown in oil (also brown hamburger, if using.)

Remove meat, and sautee onions and garlic (and celery or bell peppers, if using) until onions are soft. Add tomatoes, green beans (or any other vegetables and meat), pepper, and enough water or broth to not-quite cover ingredients (vegetables will add liquid when cooked down.)

Bring to a boil, briefly -- and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Salt individual portions to taste.

If you'd like to participate in Shaker Gourmet, email me (include a blog link!) at: shakergourmet (at) gmail.com