INGREDIENTS

• • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled, crushed
  • 6 whole sweet Italian sausages (about 1 1/4 pounds)
  • 6 cups cooked white beans with 1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid (see Cannellini Beans with Garlic and Sage )
  • 1 14-to 15-ounce can plum tomatoes in juice; tomatoes chopped, juice reserved
  • 2 large fresh sage sprigs
  • 1 cup (or more) water

PREPARATION

• • Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic. Sautégarlic until golden, about 2 minutes. Add sausages; sauté until browned, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup reserved bean cooking liquid, tomatoes with juice, and sage. Simmer 5 minutes. Add beans and 1 cup water. Cover and simmer until sausages are cooked through, adding more water by 1/4 cupfuls if dry, about 30 minutes. Uncover and simmer until sauce thickens, if desired. Season with salt and pepper

What to drink:

• • Robust, spicy Falesco 2006 Vitiano Rosso ($9).