Happily ever after.

With Ryan on jury duty... while working, while starting his new class, while preparing for a camping trip {to the snow} with Jacob- & me- STILL READING, we knew just the book to pull off the shelf for last night's at-home Valentine's dinner.  So, after they rushed off to purchase snow shoes... and Hailey & I rushed off to Claro's to purchase food for Thursday's dinner... and then rushed home to do a million more things- I sat down and helped Jacob with an assignment, while Ryan literally threw this together... in a matter of minutes.

And it magically turned our night around, from pandemonium to peace.   

Again... like last week's {tried & true} recipe... simple, healthy, & TASTY.  But seriously- "simple" is truly an understatement in this case.

 
cassoulet-style italian sausages and white beans
*from perfect one-dish dinners, by pam anderson

2 1/2 lbs sweet Italian sausage links (we used chicken sweet italian from trader joe's)
3 pints cherry tomatoes
1 medium-large onion, cut into 1 1/2″ chunks
4 large garlic cloves, sliced
3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tbs balsamic vinegar
2 tsp dried thyme
3 bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cans (about 16 oz each) white beans (cannellini), undrained

Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 425 degrees F.

Mix sausages, tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, thyme, bay leaves, and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper in a large heavy roasting pan.  Set pan in oven and roast until sausages are brown and tomatoes have reduced to a thick sauce, about 45 minutes.  Remove from oven, stir in beans, and continue to roast until casserole has heated through, about 10 minutes longer.  Fish out bay leaves and serve...

{... preferably with red wine... or sparkling... or both (it was a valentine's day afterall)}

*COOK'S NOTES

• Pam Anderson is one of my favorite cookbook authors.  And that's saying a lot, seeing as thought I have about a gazillion cookbooks.  Here's why... 
• If you're still wondering if you should try this recipe, watch THIS. {promise... it's more than just a 'recipe demo.'}