Low carb, low sugar life and craving Italian?

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Trying to live a low carb, low sugar life and looking for creative menu ideas?

Green beans make a good conduit for marinara sauce, not quite the same as pasta, but satisfying.

I like to use sausages in my sauce, for dinner last night I used a combination of mild Italian pork sausage and spicy chicken Italian sausage.

Sauté chopped onions, mushrooms and garlic in a little olive oil until the onions are wilted and mushrooms are a little browned, then add in the sausages (I either take the meat out of the casing or buy it already out), but if you like the firm slices of sausages, just slice them up and throw them in and cook with the vegetables. Once the sausage is fully cooked add in your favorite sugar-free homemade or ready-made sauce, look for one without added sugar, such as Yo Mama’s brand or Muir Glen’s brand, both are organic and have no added sugar. Stir and taste to see if it needs additional salt and pepper. I also like to add a tablespoon of dried oregano, rubbing it in between my fingers to crumble into the pot and release more of its flavor, and a teaspoon of fennel seeds. Let the sauce simmer on low for at least 20 to 30 minutes, longer is preferable to let all the flavors meld.

When you are ready to eat, boil water in a pot with 3 or 4 teaspoons of salt (this will keep the beans bright green and flavors them without being salty), once the water is bubbling, add the green beans with top ends trimmed off. Once the water starts to bubble again, only a few minutes, test one that it’s cooked but still firm, take off the stove. Drain and run cold water over it immediately to stop them from cooking anymore, unless you like mushy beans.

Place a portion of beans on your plate and top with your meat sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Delicious! Buon Appetito!