Sausage stirfry

I am happy to eat kimchi jjigae for several meals, protein or no protein. I cannot say the same for my younger brother. He never really developed a taste for kimchi, even though he loves spicy food. For dinner recently, I decided to make that old standby, the stir-fry. It's quick and delicious and a great way to empty out the fridge. I used up a couple of bell peppers and a link of andouille that I'd had every intention of turning into part of a jambalaya. Oh well. "Best laid plans" and all that.

I never thought of using kielbasa or another pre-cooked sausage before living with Sarah A (nee C) and seeing her do it. I thought it was weird and crazy. Then I tried it. Delicious and quick, who could ask for anything more?

First, you chop up all your vegetables.

Then, heat up your big skillet, add some sesame oil, and throw in your peppers, onions, and sausage. Let those cook for a few minutes on high heat, until the onion begins to soften. While this is happening, I mixed up my stir-fry sauce. Before pouring in the sauce, I pitched the garlic, jalapeno, and ginger in the pan, letting them cook with the other veg and sausage for a couple minutes.

Then I poured in my sauce, cooking it until the sauce thickened (thank you, unnatural cornstarch!).

I sserved it up with rice, but lo mein noodles would be good too. Yum!

Sausage stirfry
(serve 4)

1 pound kielbasa or andouille or spicy Italian sausage, sliced
2 bell peppers (I used one orange and one red), diced
1 onion, diced
1 tbsp sesame oil

2 tbsp minced ginger
3 tbsp finely chopped jalapeno (omit, or cut it down if you don't want the spiciness)
5 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup dry sherry (or water or broth)
2 tsp fish sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch

Optional:
3-4 scallions, finely chopped (to mix into the rice)
1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

Place a large skillet over high heat, adding sesame oil. Toss in peppers, onions, and sausage, cooking for a few minutes, until the onions have softened. Mix soy sauce, dry sherry (or water), fish sauce, sugar, and cornstarch. Set aside.

Add ginger, jalapeno, and garlic to the sausage and vegetables. Cook for another couple minutes, then add stir-fry sauce. Cook until sauce is thickened.

Serve immediately with rice or noodles.