Dexterdog's Sausage and Lentil Casserole

[dexterdoglancashire]

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
8 sausages, of your choice (venison, beef, cumberland or lincolnshire)
1 large onion, peeled and chopped finely
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 pts chicken stock
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp tomato puree
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
200g puy lentils, rinsed
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper


Brown the sausages in the oil till browned, then place in a large casserole dish.
Add the onion to the frying pan and cook gently. Add the garlic and cook for a few more minutes, taking care not to brown the garlic. Add the flour and mix well.
Add the stock, sugar, tomato puree and balsamic vinegar and season to taste. Mix well and bring to the boil.
Put lentils into casserole dish with the sausages and add the hot stock and bay leaves.
Cover casserole dish and cook for an hour, or until sausages and lentiles are cooked.
Gas mark 4 180C and 350C.

Enjoy! Dexterdog

[skegblade]

Thanks DD; looking forward to trying them out
Phil

[Waffler]

Can I just ask where you get puy lentils from. I have searched many a store (not even small ones) and have yet to find them. i'm looking with all the other dried lentils and pulses. Am I looking in the right place or are they labelled as something else?? Help!

Your recipe sounds really nice. I do a very easy, throw together sausage casserole with chopped sausages, onions, garlic, a couple of cans of toms and a can of baked beans (or other pulses) + whatever veg: usually a mix from the following: potatoes (always), carrots, peas, sweetcorn, mushrooms, peppers, courgettes... I cook it for about an hour in the oven, until potatoes are tender. I don't have children, but I imagine it would be quite a good one to serve to them.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Waffler - yes, you are looking in the right place in the supermarket. I get mine from Sainsbury's. The one's I use are in a box though, sorry can't remember the make. You could also use tinned green lentils and reduce the cooking time. DDL

[HappyMouffe]

DDL, that looks lovely. I make a similar casserole, with Toulouse sausages and can wholeheartedly agree that the sausages go fantastically well with lentils. It's one of those meals that makes Winter really something to look forward to, especially with some nice crusty bread to mop up the juices. We just use dried green lentils which I soak overnight. You've made me want it now!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Me too, HM, I always love autumn and winter for all those lovely casseroles! DDL

[Sug]

Hi Happymouffe, may I ask - what are Toulouse sausages?

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Sug! Toulouse sausages are small, french sausages with coarsley diced pork meat flavoured with wine, garlic and seasoning. I get mine from either sainsburys or tesco - the "finest" type range. Do give them a try! DDL

[nick the grief]

I say one is posh in Preston is one not

[HappyMouffe]

That's reminded me - another excellent reason for making it - the recipe I use asks for a few fluid ounces of red wine. Excellent excuse for opening up a bottle & drinking the rest!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Eeehh Nick lad! don't think so! DDL

[shallotman]

LENTILS. The two main supermarkets stock them, look on the pulses shelf. P.J

[NEWTO THE PLOT]

Had this for dinner last night,tasted great you should try it

[dexterdoglancashire]

Finally remembered! the green lentils I used are in a box by "merchant gourmet"!
Glad you enjoyed it NTTP DDL

[25cowlane]

Thanks for posting the recipe DDL, had this last night and used some red lentils we had in the cupboard(too lazy to go to the shop) and it was superb.