Recipe: Beer-glazed sausage and apples

Looking for some St. Patrick's Day inspired recipes, I landed on this one from MidwestLiving.com.

Still, I tried it. It's a yummy meal that combines your protein and veggies all in one dish with kid favorites, including apples and green beans.

8 small sage leaves (These are for the garnish, so optional).

In one large saucepan, stir together 6 ounces of the beer and the crushed red pepper. Bring it to a boil and then add the sausage and green beans. Let it simmer, covered, for 5 to 8 minutes - until the beans are tender. Drain it and put it aside.

In a large skillet, cook the apples in one tablespoon of butter until they are just tender, stirring from time to time. Put the apples on a platter or in a bowl. And add the sausage to the skillet. Let them brown on all sides, turning occasionally. Put the browned sausage with the apples and drain any fat from the skillet.

Then, carefully pour the rest of the beer into the skillet. Stir it around so you can get any browned bits up. Then, add the rest of the ingredients - 1 tablespoon butter, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and orange peel. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat and boil it gently, uncovered for 5 to 6 minutes until it's a little thickened.

Put the sausage, apples and beans in the skillet and stir until it's combined with the sauce. Put it on a platter and sprinkle with sage. I served it with some crusty bread.

This made four dinner servings. I had enough green beans and apples left over for a side the next night.