Great comfort food to serve straight away or to prepare the day before. Perfect with Italian polenta or mashed potatoes
Ingredients (serves 3):
6 Italian sausages
1 tin (400gr) of chopped tomatoes
1 medium onion
2 bay leaves
3 Tbsp sliced black olives in brine (optional, but I do love them in it)
1 glass of red wine (optional, but it does provide this with a unique taste)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp fine salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Use a heavy based pot that has a tightly closed lid (some call it Dutch oven)
Use the tip of a sharp knife and make a lot of wholes in each of your sausages (3 along one side and 3 along the opposite side is enough)
Chop the onion quite well, then stir fry it in the oil until translucent
Add the sausages and let them brown well on all sides
Add the red wine if using and stir well
Cook for 3-4 mins until the alcohol evaporates
Add the sliced olives, the tin of tomato, the bay leaves, the salt and the pepper and stir well
Cover and cook for 30 mins on a gentle heat (it should bubble gently)
Stir it well, then cook for another 15 mins
At this point it's ready: if the sauce is not thick enough, leave the lid off and cook for another 10 mins or so, stirring every now and then