Instructions: Each precooked chicken and apple sausage links - 1/4-inch slices
lemon zest
2 tablespoons cilantro walnut pesto sauce - see notes
fresh basil leaves
for garnish
6 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Instructions:
1. Boil broccoli and pasta together in large pot of water seasoned with a salt substitute.

2. Meanwhile, in a large sprayed skillet or saute pan, warm the olive oil. Saute garlic with pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper until garlic is lightly browned. Add the walnuts and shredded basil; cook stirring until warmed and fragrant. Add the sausage, lemon zest and pesto sauce along with 2 or 3 tablespoons of water from the pasta pot. Warm the sauce using moderate to medium-low heat.

3. Drain the pasta and broccoli and transfer to the pan with the sauce. Toss and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at once garnished with fresh basil leaves; offer grated fresh parmesan or romano cheese at the table.

TIP - If you do not have flavored pasta, consider adding a 1 tsp prepared sundried tomato paste to the sauce.

NOTES : Salsa Nova (Paulas(R)) is a reduced oil cilantro-walnut pesto. We often mix that with fresh basil for intriguing and satisfying flavor with pasta. The chicken sausage links were purchased from Trader Joes. Lots of flavor - all very comfortable. 2001-10-16

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