SAUCE:

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1/4 tsp basil leaves
1/8-1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

SANDWICH:

1 lb ground italian sausage
1 med onion, thinly sliced
8 slices french bread, cut diagonally 3/4″ thick
6 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced
2 tbs margarine OR butter, softened

in a small saucepan, combine sauce ingredients. bring to a boil. reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. shape sausage into 4 large, thin oval patties. in a large skillet, fry over medium heat about 10 minutes, or until done, turning frequently. in same skillet, cook onion until tender. set aside. remove all grease & drippings from skillet.

to assemble sandwiches, top each of 4 slices of bread with 1/4 of the cheese slices, 1 sausage patty & 1/4 of the onion. cover with remaining slices of bread. spread margarine on outside of each sandwich.

place sandwiches in skillet over medium heat. grill sandwiches on both sides until bread begins to brown & sandwich is hot. serve each sandwich with about 1/4 cup sauce for dipping.

makes 4 sandwiches