There are days when you crave comfort food. Food that brings back memories of your childhood and just thinking of it pokes at the saliva glands. Food that makes you nostalgic for times less complicated, less rushed. Or maybe food that makes you think of favourite places and holidays. Recently I’ve had a craving for one such dish. Even in the heart of summer, I’ve been having lussies for this comforting winters dish and decided to make it anyway. I’ve called this recipe a Sausage and Tomato Casserole. My siblings will say I’m being fancy, as growing up we knew this dish simply as Sausage Food.
Back in the day we would use mutton or beef sausage, but I’ve cut down a lot on red meat and I’ve opted for a healthier chicken sausage. If you can get free range that’s even better. I like the the roasted chicken flavoured chicken sausage from Pick n Pay as it adds another level of flavour to the sausage. Normally it would be served with slightly soft white rice but I went for healthier brown rice instead. Admittedly, the white rice is certainly more comforting. But serve it any way you like. Comfort food after all is about what makes you comfortable.
- 500g Chicken Sausage
- 4 medium size ripe Tomatoes grated and skins discarded
- 1 large Onion chopped finely
- 2 small potatoes, peeled and cut in 4
- 1/2 tsp fine cumin / jeera
- 1/2 tsp Chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp fine black Pepper
- 1 small green chilli cut in half
- 3 large cloves of fresh garlic crushed or 1 Tblsp crushed garlic
- 1/2 tsp of sugar
- a small handful of curry leaves
- Salt
- Braise your onions on a medium heat in 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil.
- Meanwhile cut up the sausage into small bite size chunks.
- Add the garlic to the onions once they are soft and allow the garlic to become soft and fragrant but not to burn.
- Add the sausage and cook in the onions till almost done.
- Add the potatoes and a glug of water to create some steam. Allow the potatoes to soften.
- Once the potatoes are almost soft, add the grated tomatoes spices, chilli and salt to taste.
- Simmer till the tomatoes lose their wateriness about 10 minutes.
- Add the sugar and curry leaves, cook another 5 to 10 minutes.
- It’s ready when the oil and the tomatoes have separated a bit.
Comments