Meal For One - Sausage Lentil Casserole

Cooking for one is hard. When contemplating a one off dish I usually end up reaching for the cereal packet as it just doesn't seem worth the effort. Tonight me and the man were invited to a party that I had been looking forward to all week, alas I was struck down by flu, so I kissed my man goodbye and settled in for a night of atrocious Saturday night television and Shreddies. However the Shreddies weren't cutting it, so I went searching the cupboards for something more satisfying. I wanted a no-fuss one-pot wonder with plenty of flavor.  

Adapted from Channel4.com

Sausage Lentil Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 sausages
• 2 medium shallots, peeled and cut in half
• 1 carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
• A pinch of dried chilli flakes
• A sprig of rosemary
• A sprig of thyme
• 1/2 tsp tomato puree
• 75g Puy or green lentils
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tsp redcurrant jelly (optional)
• Parsley to garnish (optional)

Method


1) Heat the oil in a large casserole pan. Throw the sausages in and brown them all over. Remove from the pan then throw in the shallots, carrots and garlic. Fry for about 5 minutes or until the shallots, carrots and garlic cloves have some color. For the last minute of cooking add in the chilli flakes and herbs. Add the tomato puree and cook for a further minute.

2) Pour in the lentils so they can infuse in all of the flavours, then cover with the stock. Bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer. Add the sausages back to the pan cover with a lid and let it simmer away for 35 minutes or until the lentils are cooked through. Stir in the redcurrant jelly and serve sprinkled with parsley.

Best enjoyed whilst loudly criticizing the contestants of "Come Dine With Me".