“Battle Cranberry” Sausage Spaghetti

Back in 2006 (I believe), the Food Network used Iron Chef to pit Giada DeLaurentis and Bobby Flay against Rachael Ray and Mario Batali. Since the episode aired many times, I can assume many viewers watched. Well, last night I checked Food Network and, lo’ and behold, it’s back for another run.

Foodies know that Food Network’s site is a treasure trove of recipes for recipes shown on the air; however, Iron Chef’s creations are not there. We were so intrigued with Rachael’s Cranberry-Sausage Spaghetti, we watched the episode several times to take notes with hopes of creating a similar version. Let me simply say this is one delish dish!

In the spirit of holiday giving, A Frank Angle provides our home’s version of this unique combination of two unlikely partners.

If you eat like us, this recipe is for two-three bountiful servings. Otherwise, four small servings are possible.

Ingredients
1 link sweet Italian sausage (casing removed)
1 link hot Italian sausage (casing removed)
2 cloves garlic (chopped or sliced)
1 onion (chopped)
Nutmeg
1 bunch Swiss chard (strip from stalk, then chop leaves)
1/2 c dried cranberries
16-24 oz unsweetened cranberry juice (won’t use all)
1 tbsp butter
Salt
Feta cheese
(Optional) Parsley – chopped, enough to sprinkle on serving

Note: Organic unsweetened cranberry use is too tart, thus recommend using a “regular” unsweetened (which is sweetened by another juice instead of a sugar/sweetener).

Directions
* Time cooking the spaghetti with the end of the sauce preparation.

1. In a large frying pan, brown the sausage, onions, & garlic. Break the sausage apart while cooking (8-10 minutes).
2. Add the cranberries.
3. Add enough cranberry juice (about 2 cups) to simmer. (Total simmering time 15 min.)
4. Bring to boil and reduce. (A good time to prep the chard)
5. Continue adding juice as fluid reduces. (Start the water for the spaghetti).
6. Add the chard to the mixture.
7. Sprinkle mixture with nutmeg.
8. Salt to taste.
9. Continue simmering (10-12 min.) and add juice when necessary.
10. Add butter to the mixture near the end of the cooking. Stir to melt.
11. Add cooked spaghetti into the pan. Stir to coat.
12. Plate, then top with feta cheese & parsley.

For the holiday season, this Iron Chef episode is reaired on Thursday, December 18 at 9:00 pm.