Favorite Recipe: Pasta with Sausage, Olives, Sun dried Tomatoes, and Cream

I discovered this recipe a few years ago (wow, 6 to be exact) in a Fine Cooking publication, specifically on dinner party menus. It quickly became a favorite and I have made it for several occasions since, both casual and a little more formal. It's a great pasta dish with a wonderful mix of flavors. Serve it with a salad, some good Italian bread and a lighter red wine.

Pasta with Sausage, Olives, Sun dried Tomatoes, and Cream

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 medium clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1-1/4 lb. hot Italian sausage, casings removed (I use mild sausage, just a personal preference)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine 
• 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup (about 6 oz.) oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1 lb. farfalle pasta
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions: 

1. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it into bite-size pieces with a spoon, until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Spoon off the fat if it's excessive. Add the wine, increase the heat to medium high, and cook, scraping up any browned bits in the pan, until most of the wine is evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the olives and sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Add the cream, increase the heat to high, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cream thickens slightly, 2 to 5 minutes. Stir in 2 Tbs. of the parsley and 2 Tbs. of the Parmigiano. Keep the sauce warm over low heat.
3. Cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water and then drain the pasta. Return the pasta to its pot, add the sauce and the reserved cooking water, and set the pot over high heat. Gently toss the pasta for 30 to 60 seconds and season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among warm bowls and sprinkle with the remaining 2 Tbs. Parmigiano and 2 Tbs. parsley.

Have a happy day!

Photo taken from FineCooking.com