Microwave: Smoked Sausage Casserole

We're expecting frost this weekend so I'm tasked with a final gleaning of bounty for storage or putting by. Until that's done, suppers will be simple and designed to free the stove for canning kettles and associated paraphernalia. I found this recipe, years ago, in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and it's perfect for the needs of the day. It's so simple and delicious that it should, also, be shared with others. This is Eastern European fare come to Oregon via Pennsylvania. My husband loves smoked sausage so this dish was a natural for us. If your family loves hearty, well-flavored food you'll want to give this cold weather casserole a try. The baked apples, topped with caramel sauce, were just a tempting afterthought. They, too, were prepared in the microwave. "Nuff said"!

SMOKED SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

Ingredients:
1 red pepper, cut into 1-inch dice
1 yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch dice
1 green pepper, cut into 1-inch dice
1 large onion, halved and cut into 1/2-inch slices
1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 pound smoked turkey sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup heavy cream, half-and-half or whole milk
Garnish: chopped fresh parsley or basil

Directions:
1) Combine peppers, onion, garlic, potatoes, sausage, oil and spices in a large microwavable casserole with a lid. Mix well.
2) Cover. Cook on high power for 20 minutes, stirring ingredients every 5 minutes, or until potatoes are cooked through. Stir in cream. Cover and cook another 2 minutes. Spoon into 4 soup bowls. Garnish with parsley and serve. Yield: 4 servings.