You don't have to live in New York or Milwaukee to get your fill of beer and sausages. If you have ever been to a baseball or football game when you were young, you will automatically remember being at the ballpark once you smell the aroma of this Italian sausage, marinated and boiled in beer, onions, and peppers. Some like to grill them, but often does not cook evenly on the grill. Boiling them like hot dogs in a flavorful mix really keeps them moist, hot, and filled with beer-infused flavor. Top with your favorite mustard-- mine is the Spicy Beer Mustard, while nestled inside a soft white Italian hoagie roll. One bite and you'll be singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame!!

• 4-6 links of mild Italian Sausage

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced

• 1 large Vidalia onion, sliced

• 1 12oz can of diced tomatoes

• 1 TBSN minced garlic

• 2 TBSN butter

• 1 TBSN dried oregano

• 1 TBSN dried basil

• 2 bottles/cans of stout beer (Keto and Gluten free diets use preferred alternative)

• Package of Italian hoagie rolls (Keto and Gluten free diets use preferred alternative)

Colander, 2 gallon ziplock bag, sharp knife, large sauce pan, cooking spoon, measuring cup, tongs. Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min on stovetop Ready: 60 min Serves: 4

Before you handle any food, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Clean your kitchen work area and pull back your hair or wear a cap. You want to avoid contaminating your meal with harmful bacteria that could cause food illness.

To make Ballpark Italian Sausage:

1. Slice peppers in one inch wedges. Rinse in colander to remove bell pepper seeds.

2. Place sausages, sliced peppers and onions into a large 2 gallon ziplock bag.

3. Add stout beer to bag. Seal bag and marinate ingredients for 24-36 hours.

4. When ready, heat saucepan over medium heat and melt butter.

5. Remove sausage, peppers, and onion from marinade and set all ingredients aside.

6. Place the sausage in the saucepan over medium heat and brown on all sides. Remove from skillet, and slice into one inch chunks. It's OK if the sausages are not completely cooked through and should be raw in the center.

7. Add stout marinade to the saucepan and cook at med-high. Stir in the diced tomatoes, garlic, peppers, and onion.

Add sausage chunks, oregano and basil. Cover until boiling.

8. Continue to boil for ten minutes and stir until sausages are fully cooked.

9. Using a colander, drain all the ingredients. Use tongs to place sausage, onions, and peppers into hoagie rolls.

If desired, add mustard on top of sandwich and serve immediately.

1 serving: 130 calories, 40 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 75 mg cholesterol, 1260 mg sodium, 9 g carbohydrate (0 g sugars, 2 g fiber), 35 g protein.

So I have bad news and good news about the health benefits of Italian Sausage. First, the bad: Meat sausages in general are high in fat, sodium, and calories. So I wouldn’t recommend consuming sausages on a regular basis. Now the good news: Italian sausages, which are mostly pork, have a high content of protein and are low in carbs. One link of Italian sausage contains about 16 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbs; which works well in a low-carb diet. They also are high in B vitamins which release energy in the body by breaking down carbs and fat. Pork sausages also help with your nervous system function and red blood cell formation. Sausages also contain Phosphorus; a bone-strengthening mineral that helps the kidneys eliminate waste from the body. Sausages are also high in Iron which is needed for myoglobin and hemoglobin production. These distribute oxygen throughout the body, which enables you to perform normal daily activities.

Spanish Grenache, Dry Creek Zinfandel, or Nero d’Avola. My personal preference would not be wine with this-- have a cold beer!

Side Dish pairing: Macaroni and Cheese with Beer and Cheddar Cheese Sauce or Beer Soaked Potato Wedges. Top with Spicy Beer Mustard. Be sure to check out these recipes!

Vegan or vegetarian, Replace pork Italian sausage with vegan versions that are created with soy or grains. These have the same spices found in regular Italian sausage, but it is meat-free and lower in fat and cholesterol. Otherwise you can also replace sausage with portobello mushrooms. Kick the GLUTS by replacing stout beer with your favorite gluten-free beer. You can also eliminate the Italian roll altogether and create an Italian Sausage Bowl or replace with a gluten-free hoagie roll. The basic recipe is high on protein and low on carbohydrates. You can reduce the fat and calories by replacing Italian sausages with Vegan sausages made from soy or grains. This type has the same spices found in regular Italian sausage, but it is meat-free and lower in fat and cholesterol. You can also replace sausages with turkey, chicken sausage or portobello mushrooms. Hot Italian Sausage. Replace mild sausage with medium or spicy Italian sausage. Add 1 TBSN red cayenne pepper with oregano, basil and salt. Veggie Italian Sausage. Replace Italian sausages with Vegan sausages made from soy or grains, or use Portabello mushrooms. Italian Sausage Pasta Bowl. Replace Italian roll and add all cooked ingredients to box of cooked pasta, such as penne or fusilli. Top with marinara sauce.