Sausages Braised in Cider with Sauteed Apples

This is an old favourite which I've slightly updated. If you can't get bacon in one piece, you can use sliced bacon or something called 'pancetta cubetti', tiny cubes of Italian bacon.

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  Serves 2

Ingredients
6 quality pork sausages (such as Duchy Originals)
15 fl oz (425 ml) dry cider (such as Aspall Suffolk Cyder)
1 medium Cox's apple
1 teaspoon oil
4 oz (110 g) streaky bacon in one piece (ask your butcher)
6 oz (175 g) shallots, peeled but kept whole
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 heaped teaspoon flour
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 bay leaves
1 rounded teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus 3 extra thyme sprigs
1 oz (25 g) butter
salt and freshly milled black pepper
Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4, 350°F (180°C).

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Equipment
You will also need a small flameproof casserole about 4½ pints (2.6 litres) in capacity.

Method

Begin by placing the casserole over a medium heat, add the oil and when it's shimmering and very hot add the sausages and allow them to brown all over, turning them from time to time. Whilst the sausages are browning, cut the bacon into ¾ in (2 cm) cubes. When the sausages are nicely browned, using a draining spoon remove them to a plate and then brown the bacon cubes and shallots, again stirring from time to time. When they've turned golden – about 5 minutes, add the garlic and stir them around a bit, then sprinkle in the heaped teaspoon of flour to soak up the juices and then gradually stir in both the cider and cider vinegar. Now pop the sausages back in to join the rest, plus the bay leaves and thyme leaves and sprigs, and some seasoning. Then as soon as it comes up to simmering point pop a lid on, transfer to the oven for 30 minutes. When the 30 minutes are up, remove the lid and cook for a further 20-30 minutes. About 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time, core the apple and slice it into rings (leave the skin on). Melt the butter in a frying pan and fry the apple rings for about 3-4 minutes on both sides or until cooked and golden. Serve the sausages garnished with the apple rings and this is excellent with spiced stir-fried red cabbage.Menu suggestion:Serve with Mashed Potatoes with Sage and Stir-fried Spiced Red Cabbage with Apples.

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