LUNCH RECIPES WITH SAUSAGE RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5.
  2. Get yourself an appropriately sized roasting tray, large enough to take the tomatoes in one snug-fitting layer. Put in all your tomatoes, the herb sprigs, oregano, garlic and sausages. Drizzle well with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Toss together, then make sure the sausages are on top and pop the tray into the oven for half an hour. After this time, give it a shake and turn the sausages over. Put back into the oven for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how golden and sticky you like your sausages.
  4. Once it’s cooked, you’ll have an intense, tomatoey sauce. If it’s a little too thin, lift out the sausages and place the tray on the hob to cook it down to the consistency you like – I tend to make mine quick thick – then put the sausages back in.
  5. Check the seasoning and serve either with a good-quality loaf of bread warmed through in a low oven for 10 minutes (great for mopping up the sauce!) or with mashed potato, rice or polenta, a green salad and a nice glass of wine.
  6. PS Any leftovers can be chopped up and made into a wonderful chunky pasta dish, using penne or rigatoni, the next day.

Steps:

• 1. Chop the broccoli florets off the stalk.
  2. Cut the woody end off the stalk, halve the stalk lengthways and put into a large pan of boiling salted water with the sausages and whole chilli(es).
  3. Pop the lid on, boil for 5 minutes, then remove, leaving the water on the lowest heat.
  4. Meanwhile, chop the broccoli florets into nice bite-sized chunks and put aside for later.
  5. Once cool enough to handle, finely slice the sausages, broccoli stalk and chilli and place in a large frying pan on a medium heat with 1 tablespoon of oil, the fennel seeds and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
  6. Stir and fry while you peel and finely slice the garlic and onions.
  7. Once the sausage is lightly golden, stir in the garlic, followed a minute later by the onions, then pick in the oregano leaves. Cook for 15 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.
  8. Add the vinegar and cook completely away, then pour in the tomatoes, breaking them up with a wooden spoon. Half-fill the tin with water, swirl around and pour into the pan.
  9. Simmer for 15 more minutes, or until thickened, then taste and season to perfection.
  10. Meanwhile, bring the pan of water back up to boil, and cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, adding the broccoli florets for the last 4 minutes.
  11. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving a mugful of cooking water. Toss through the sauce, loosening with a little reserved water, if needed.
  12. Finely grate in most of the Parmesan and toss together, then serve with the rest of the Parmesan grated over the top.