Our resident culinary expert, Brad Smoliak, goes on a shopping trip for an Italian favourite you may not have even noticed on grocery store shelves: gnocchi.

Cover your gnocchi with Sausage Bolognese for a flavourful kick.

Sausage Bolognese (Serves 4)

Ingredients:
1 tbsp   Olive Oil
2           cloves garlic crushed (or more)
1 tsp     crushed red chili flakes (optional)
1 tbsp   dried oregano
1 cup    onions, diced
1 ½ lb   Italian sausage meat (Italian sausage mild or hot, casing removed)
2 cans   28 fl. oz tomatoes, whole or diced
½ cup   red wine
½ tsp    sugar
             salt/pepper

1 lb  gnocchi, cooked "al dente"
½ cup grated parmesan (Asiago, pecorino, can also be used)

Directions:
Sausage meat is a great way to make Bolognese (spaghetti sauce) because all of the herbs and spices that you need are already in the sausage.

Heat the olive oil over medium heat then add the onions and the garlic. Sauté until soft. Add the sausage meat and lightly brown, breaking up the pieces as they cook. Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat until desired consistency is achieved, about 45-60 minutes.