1 (16 oz.) pkg. organic wheat penne pasta
1 leek, washed and halved then sliced into 1/2 circles
2 cloves, crushed and minced garlic
1 shredded carrot
2 apple chicken sausage links, diced
dash of salt

WHITE SAUCE:

2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or powdered
white pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Italian herbs
1/4 tsp. fennel seeds
dash of paprika
dash of red pepper

Start a pot of water to boil, add a dash of salt to water and pasta, return to boil and cook as directed. I live at high altitude and it takes a couple minutes longer than the package directions says for the pasta to boil, so I suggest tasting the pasta after the normal directions time and see that it is done to your satisfaction.

While the pasta is cooking, wash and slice the leek about 1/8-inch slices. Shred a carrot, dice the apple chicken sausages to 1/4 to 1/2-inch pieces. Crush and mince garlic. Set aside.

Grab a skillet and heat two tablespoons oil and toss in garlic, then leek and carrot, sauté for a minute or two. Turn mixture out to a side bowl and place a tablespoon of oil in hot pan, add sausage pieces, slightly brown and then return vegetable mix back into pan to bring to a good heat thru..

Pasta should be done by now, drain pasta in colander, replace pasta to pot and add sausage vegetable mixture and toss together.

Take a medium sauce pan set heat to medium low, 3.0 on electric stove, and add butter. When butter is melted, add the flour and mix it thoroughly letting it cook about a minute, then add the milk, white pepper, a little salt and bring up to just a slight bubble while stirring constantly. You do not want the milk to burn or stick.

Dash the paprika and red pepper into the white sauce, be careful to not get too much red pepper as it will get hot fast, like hot sauce! Now add the Parmesan cheese and mix up and bring to just a bubble. Pour sauce into pan with pasta and sausage/vegetable mix and serve.

Got garlic bread? White wine... Sounds great to me... Hey, it was!!!

Served 6.

Submitted by: Ol Timer