Canellini Beans & Sausage

So good on a cold winter's night.  Pair with a nice salad and glass of wine and enjoy!

• 2 T olive oil
• 1 lb sweet  Italian sausage
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 5 sage leaves
• 2 15 oz cans Cannellini beans, un-drained or 30 oz. pre-soaked
• 7 oz pureed tomatoes
• salt and pepper and pepper to taste

Place the olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat.  Add the sausage and brown on all sides.  Remove sausage and set aside.  Add the garlic cloves and sage into the juices and bits in the pan over medium heat.  When the garlic becomes fragrant, stir in the beans, tomatoes and salt and pepper.  Simmer for fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally.   Cut the sausage into pieces and add them to the beans mixture along with any juices that have accumulated.   Cook for ten more minutes.

Serve with a crusty Italian or artisan bread.