Country Sausage Gravy *

12 oz ground pork sausage
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 cup butter, cut into slices
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp minced fresh sage
1 tsp minced fresh thyme
2 cups milk
1/4 cup minced parsley

Cook sausage, onion, bell pepper, garlic and crushed red pepper in large skillet until vegetables soften and pork is lightly browned, 10-15 minutes.  Pour off grease.  Add butter to skillet; cook, stirring over medium heat until melted.  Sprinkle with flour.  Cook, stirring gently, 1 minute.  Stir in sage and thyme.  Add milk, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until slightly thickened before each addition.  Simmer gently, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.  Add parsley just before serving.

Serves 6