John's Sausage Stew
Ingredients: (serves 4)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 pork sausages
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 150ml Red Wine OR 1 Stock Cube
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp dried herbs
• 2 x 400g tins of cannellini beans
• A leftover parmesan rind, optional
• A small handful of finely chopped parsley leaves
• Salt and pepper
Method:
1. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a casserole over a medium heat. Add the sausages and brown them off for 4-5 minutes, turning as you go. Remove from the pan and set to one side.
2. Add the remaining oil to the pan and chuck in the onion. Reduce the heat a little and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until golden. Add the garlic and mix well. Pour in the wine OR add 1 stock cube (cheaper alternative). Mix well and scrape all the bits off the bottom. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes or until the alcohol smell has gone.
3. Put the tomatoes, tomato puree, herbs and plenty of salt and pepper into the pan. Drain one can of beans and add that and add the remaining can, along with all the water to help to the stew thicken. If you have some Parmesan lurking in the fridge, cut off the rind and add it into the stew. It gives an amazing flavour. Mix well and bring to the boil.
4. Return the sausages to the pan and nestle them into the beans. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the sauce is rich and thick and the sausages cooked through. Remove the parmesan if using. Add the parsley and serve immediately.
