Winter Warmer Sausage Casserole

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Cook the sausages either under the grill or in a pan with 1 tbs of oil until gently browned (do not let them dry out or over brown, they will cook further in the casserole. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Melt the butter with the remaining oil in a heavy bottomed frying pan or casserole pot on a medium heat. Add the onions and soften for 5 minutes until translucent but do not brown. Stir in the spices and mix well. Meanwhile, chop the sausages into bite sized pieces and then add to the pan. Stir round ensuring that the spiced onions and sausages are mixed well. Cook on a medium heat for a further minute. Add the chopped fresh cherry tomatoes, stir well and allow to cook for 3 minutes until they begin to soften and the juices run. Next add the tinned tomatoes, the lentils and a can of water to the pan and stir well to combine all the ingredients. Cover with a lid and allow the casserole to simmer on a low heat for 45 minutes. Stir periodically to ensure the lentils cook evenly and the casserole does not dry out or catch. Add a little more water if necessary. Season to taste with salt and fresh ground black pepper.

 

Ingredients (serves 4-6)

12 quality pork sausages

25g butter and 2 tbs oil

3 onions, halves and sliced

2 Tbs of Suffolk Spice Company Winter Warmer Mix

200g fresh cherry tomatoes, chopped into halves

2  x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes

200g Puy (green) lentils washed and drained

Salt (Himalayan rock salt preferably) and freshly ground black pepper