This is actually two recipes in one! The first one is “sausage crumbles” which are absolutely delicious in pasta or on pizza. The second part is a simple, easy, healthy pasta with broccolini (aka broccoli rabe). I must admit I’m not a huge fan of broccoli, but broccolini has a nice flavor and texture which I really enjoy. Don’t be put off by the long list of ingredients. This throws together pretty quickly!
Adapted from Veganomicon and Vegan with a Vengance

Sausage Crumble Ingredients:
2 8 oz packages of tempeh
2 tablespoons fennel seed
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried sage
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon (bottled lemon juice is fine!)

Pasta Ingredients:
1 lb brown rice penne pasta (or your pasta of choice)
2 tablespoons olive
10 cloves of garlic, minced
2 pounds broccolini, stems removed, chopped
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Start by cooking your pasta in a large pot. While the water boils and the pasta cooks, start making the sausage. When the pasta is done rinse it and set it aside.

Next, start making the sausage crumbles. Crumble the tempeh up in a large skillet. Add just enough water to the skillet to almost cover the tempeh. Cook over medium high heat until most of the water has been absorbed (12-15 min). While that cooks, combine the remaining sausage ingredients in a small bowl. When the water has been absorbed add the rest of the ingredients to the pan and cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. While you wait for the sausage to brown start preparing the pasta ingredients. When the sausage is done put it in the pot used to boil the pasta.

Sausage crumbles cooking

Now prepare the broccolini. Heat the oil in the skillet used for the sausage on medium heat. Add the garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute. Add the broccolini, sprinkle a little salt and pepper on, stir it around a little, then cover it and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the water and steam it for about 8 more minutes or until it is nice and bright green.
Now combine the pasta, sausage and broccolini in the pasta pot, sprinkle on the balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.

Yum!