Vegetarian Sausage Casserole

By gnikylime

Tasty vegetarian casserole, modified from http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/great_sausage_casserole_73010

Ingredients

• 1 - 2 T. olive oil
• 250 g./0.5 lb. vegetarian herbed "sausage" links
• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/2 –1 tsp hot chilli powder or smoked paprika
• 1 x 400g/14oz can chopped tomatoes
• 300 ml/10fl oz vegetable/chicken stock
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp dark brown muscovado sugar
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 –4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 100 ml/3 1/2fl oz red or white wine (optional)
• 1 x 400g/14oz can garbanzo beans
• 1 x 400g/14 oz can black beans
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 30mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat a tablespoon of the oil in a large casserole dish and fry the sausages gently for 10 minutes, turning every now and then until nicely browned all over. Transfer to a cutting board and slice.
2. Place the onions in the frying pan and fry over a medium heat for five minutes until they start to soften, stirring often. You should have enough fat in the pan, but if not, add a little more oil.
3. Add the garlic and cook for 2–3 minutes more until the onions turn pale golden-brown, stirring frequently.
4. Sprinkle over the chilli powder or smoked paprika and cook together for a few seconds longer.
5. Stir in the tomatoes, chicken stock, tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and herbs.
6. Pour over the wine, or some water if you’re not using wine, and bring to a simmer.
7. Increase the heat to medium the heat and leave to bubble for 20 minutes, stirring from time to time.
8. Carefully put the sliced sausages into the casserole pot and lower the heat to low.
9. Drain the beans and rinse them in a sieve under cold running water. Stir the beans into the casserole, and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick.
10. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve with rice or slices of rustic bread.