mitzireddy

While flipping through channels one evening I came across a programme on the BBC food channel by Nigel Slater. He put together this dish with some of my favourite ingredients – he made it look so simple and easy. He has such a casual approach – no fuss and bother. When I read his recipe I had to laugh – it’s all a glug, dollop and a handful. This recipe is from his book Simple Suppers. Initially I thought the quantity was too much for 2 servings but between my hubby and myself we polished the entire lot. It is delicious.

Sausages and mustard

From Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers

Preparation time: less than 30 mins

Cooking time: 10 to 30 mins

Serves 2

This recipe is so adaptable, so change the mustard and the sausage to suit your own taste; for example, if you like spicy sausages why not marry them with sweet mustard?

Ingredients

• good glug of fruity olive oil
• a couple of onions, peeled, sliced ( I used 3 medium sized )
• a couple of spilling handfuls of pasta, such as conchiglie – which is the shell shaped pasta (I used approx. 250gr of penne rigate pasta)
• 4-6 good quality sausages (preferably from your butcher)
• 1 small handful fresh flatleaf parsley, roughly chopped, plus a little extra for serving
• a dollop or so of smooth mustard, such as Dijon
• a dollop or so of grainy mustard, such as wholegrain
• a small pot of double cream
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation method

1. Add the oil to a hot, shallow, large pan and fry the onions until they are very, very sweet. They want to be soft, not crisp, so put the lid on so they steam as well as fry, say a good 8-10 minutes. Meanwhile cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to packet instructions.
2. When the onions are caramelised, skin the sausages and rip the meat into good sized chunks and add to the onions and cook for a few minutes.
3. Add in the flatleaf parsley and stir in the mustards. It’s up to you to add as much or as little as you like of each. A tablespoon of each is usually enough.
4. Stir in the cream and check the seasoning, adding more mustard if you want. Drain the pasta and add to the cream and stir well. Serve immediately with an extra sprinkling of chopped parsley.