Hoagies with Italian Sausage, Roasted Cauliflower and Mushrooms

 How you doin’? 

It would not be a spit’s length away from a lie to say I’ve watched Friends every single day for the past 18 years since its original air date in the fall of 1994. I was fresh out of high school and starting my first semester in college, experiencing a confusing phase in fashion and hold on EIGHTEEN YEARS? I’ve been “in the real world” for 18 entire years? When did this happen? How? Where’s my Cymbalta? And why am I still wearing this chain wallet?

 

FRIENDS. I remember instantly falling wholeheartedly in love with the show. Oh, Rachel and Ross with their complicated love and good hair. Oh, Monica and Chandler with their neurotic shenanigans and proving that age-old cliche that opposites do in fact attract. Oh, Phoebe and Joey with their lackadaisical approach to life, 15 thousand rings on each hand and countless HOW ARE THEY STILL ALIVE moments. (I still think they should have ended up together. But I love Paul Rudd to death so I change my mind. Again. But I’m not done thinking should be together. For now. I’ll be sure to let you know though. Sorry.)

 

The show is nothing short of timeless. The jokes are still undeniably gut-busting to this day. I still cry when Rachel finds out Ross cheated on her when they were ON A BREAK.

I still, um, nod my head and scream, “SHE TOTALLY DID!” when Monica’s paranoia leads her to believe her new housekeeper was stealing her jeans and bra. (she was, you guys.)

I still laugh hysterically when they’re watching old videos of Rachel and Monica (when she was fat) and Monica says, “The camera adds 10 pounds!” and Chandler responds with, “So how many cameras were actually ON you?” Chandler makes my heart dance.

I still freaking lose it when Rachel finds out she’s pregnant and Phoebe plays that “risky little game” in the bathroom at Monica and Chandler’s wedding, telling her the test was negative. Oh fantastic, I’m crying again.

 

I still giggle at, oh, EVERY SINGLE THING Phoebe says ever. “Oh no.” I’ve practiced it. Too much.

I love that Joey carries an actual FORK everywhere he goes. Why is he so genius? And let’s not forget his unequivocal love for the sub sandwich.

Now, he’d probably hurl at all the vegetables up in herr, but he’s not eating it. I am. And I’m a delicate flower petal glistening in the morning dew who wants her sandwich and eat it tew. (I know it’s “too.” Shhhh.)

I wonder what Emma, Jack and Erica look like these days. WHAT, THEY ARE REAL.

Hoagies with Italian Sausage, Cauliflower and Mushrooms:

What it took for 4 (6-inch) subs:

* 2 red bell peppers
* 3 Italian sausage links, casings removed
* 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
* 1/2 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
* 4 oz shiitake mushrooms, sliced
* 2 (12-inch) whole grain baguettes (or hoagies), sliced in half and toasted
* coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
* fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Preheat oven to broiler.

On a small baking sheet, arrange the two peppers and broil them until black and charred all over, about 10 minutes total. Remove the peppers from the sheet and place them in a large sealable plastic bag or bowl. Cover or seal and let cool about 20 minutes. Remove peppers from bowl and peel as much skin away as you can,  discarding the stem and seeds.

Place the peppers in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Taste it. Need a little salt? Go ahead and toss in a small pinch. Cover to keep warm.

Adjust oven to 400 degrees.

In the meantime, toss the cauliflower and mushrooms onto a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for 30 minutes. Maybe 40, depending on your oven.

Heat a medium skillet over medium-high and add the sausage. Break up with a wooden spoon and brown all over, 6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Spoon some of the roasted red pepper sauce along the bottom half of the toasted hoagie. Arrange the sausage, mushrooms and cauliflower on top of the sauce. Spoon even more sauce over the meat and vegetables. Garnish with basil leaves and EAT.

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21 Responses to Hoagies with Italian Sausage, Roasted Cauliflower and Mushrooms

  1. claire @ the realistic nutritionist May 31, 2012 at 1:49 pm #
    I'd eat that, fo sho. And I love friends. In my mind I'm really married to Ross. I know, I know. Ross.
  2. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel May 31, 2012 at 2:30 pm #
    I swear my belly growled when it saw this. Or however that works. :)
  3. Cassie May 31, 2012 at 2:31 pm #
    now i'm crying. i'm still in denial that the show is over. they are so real. and they so need a reunion. the end.
  4. Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray May 31, 2012 at 2:41 pm #
    This post made me SO HAPPY. My sister and I own all 10 seasons. And no matter how many times I see them, I die laughing at like...everything. I'm with Cassie: reunion pleeeeease I need.
  5. Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings May 31, 2012 at 2:54 pm #
    LOVE friends too!!! although I started halfway through and then had to backtrack and start at the beginning....remember Marcel? And this hoagie looks great!
    • Bev Weidner May 31, 2012 at 2:56 pm #
      Of course I remember Marcel! That man/monkey relationship was a little creepy though. I mean really.
  6. Shefali May 31, 2012 at 3:35 pm #
    What if I told you that I still watch at least one episode a day with the hubs?! Best birthday gift ever!!! I totally LOVED this post!
  7. Julie @ Table for Two May 31, 2012 at 3:36 pm #
    you can hoagie-on over here any day...feed me this now! :)
  8. Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables May 31, 2012 at 3:46 pm #
    my college roomates and I had every single season on DVD and used to watch 2-3 episodes/night. I love Monica's competitiveness, makes me think I'm less crazy myself :)
  9. Karriann May 31, 2012 at 5:13 pm #
    I'm crying too coz I want that in my mouth right now :( "Spice it Up"
  10. movita beaucoup May 31, 2012 at 5:32 pm #
    Wait. FRIENDS IS OVER?
  11. Deanna B. May 31, 2012 at 5:37 pm #
    I always loved that Monica was supposed to be a chef yet she never worked long hours or weekends or holidays. My favorite is the Geller Bowl.
  12. Heather (Heather's Dish) May 31, 2012 at 6:17 pm #
    OK i'm dying at this post. i didn't actually start watching Friends until the entire show was over and done with and, well, now i sit at home and watch it while i nurse my baby and die laughing at EVERYSINGLETHING. oh, and comparing real life to Friends because yes, it's totally legit and reasonable to do that. oh, and the hoagie looks amazing too :)
  13. dearabbyleigh May 31, 2012 at 7:42 pm #
    it's the best show. and this .this is the best sandwich.
  14. Stephaie @ Eat. Drink. Love. May 31, 2012 at 11:19 pm #
    We might be soul sisters. I have all 10 seasons of Friends. I'm not kidding, my husband and I watch them every. single. day when we eat dinner because there is usually nothing else on. We go in order, over and over. Then we also sometimes watch the re-runs in the afternoon and again at night before bed on Nick at Nite and we can pick out all the lines and scenes they cut out. Oh, and as I've been working on my dissertation, I have episodes playing on my iPad for background noise. Then we also have pondered what their lives would be like today. LOL. I was holding out hope for a reunion, but Lisa Kudrow said in an interview that it will never happen. Boo. Ok, anyway, this sandwich looks so delish! Love all the veggies!
  15. Deborah June 1, 2012 at 2:38 pm #
    I think that Friends was my first true tv show addiction. Still love it!! And I love this sub and would be very happy eating every bite!
  16. Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama June 1, 2012 at 3:05 pm #
    First the hoagie... looks so good! 2nd... Friends is one of 2 shows I can watch re-runs of all day long. One of my favorites of all time!
  17. Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac June 1, 2012 at 5:16 pm #
    I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVEEEE Friends! All time favorite show by far! I always used to say "I'm Rachel!" when I was younger... In actuality I'm probably more of a Monica..sigh. Such a good show. I totally own all 10 seasons on DVD and have watched the entire way through multiple times, and continue to watch syndicated episodes on TV... I don't have a problem right?? PS-- I'm sure Joey would eat your sandwich, he'll eat veggies! Remember when Rachel made the trifle?!! There were peas and onions in that bad boy!
  18. Ashley June 4, 2012 at 5:29 pm #
    Just reading the word "hoagie" filled my heart with joy! Everyone from the town I grew up in says hoagie... In NYC I ask for a hoagie and get empty stares in return. I think a friends marathon accompanied by a hoagie is in order very soon!
  19. Stacey I June 20, 2012 at 9:51 am #
    I am new to following your blog, but I love it!! You've made me laugh so many times!! Friends was the best.show.ever. JOEY DOESN'T SHARE FOOD!! And I still cry when Ross and Rachel break up after she finds out he cheated on her too!!
  20. locks Chace March 17, 2017 at 7:10 am #
    Early bird catches the worm

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