Charity Chomp: Warming sausage and bean casserole

Friday 25 August 2023

As soon as the next bout of gloomy weather strikes, here's the recipe you should reach for.

This week's Charity Chomp has been provided by Caring Cooks, who provide nutritious food to families across the island as well as hot meals and cooking education in schools.

This delicious casserole, served with sweet potato jackets, will take an hour to make from start to finish.

(Serves two)

Sausage & Bean Casserole 

Ingredients

• Four good quality pork sausages (small)

• Two small sweet potatoes

• One small leek

• One red pepper

• One celeri stick

• One large clove of garlic

• One tbsp olive oil

• One tsp mixed dried herbs

• Half a tsp paprika

• 250ml tomato passata

• Half tsp sugar

• 400g (one tin) of cannellini beans

• 250ml water

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°c. Wash the sweet potatoes and pat dry with kitchen paper. Rub a little olive oil and place on a baking tray. Bake for 45 minutes until the skin is crisp and the potatoes are soft to touch.

2. Prepare the leeks, celery and pepper by chop into equal sizes, roughly 1-2cm.

3. Heat the frying pan. Place the sausages in the pan and brown the outside for some colour and to seal in the flavour, remove from the pan and continue to cook in the oven for a further 20 minutes.

4. Discard the excess oil from the pan and return to a medium heat. Add the leek, celery, pepper and garlic. Allow to gently cook until they begin to soften, remember to stir regularly (this process is often referred to as sautéing – to fry quickly in a little hot fat).

5. Drain the cannellini beans in a colander and rinse with water.

6. Add the paprika and herbs to the sautéing vegetables and stir.

7. Add the beans to the pan followed by the pasta and sugar. Keep stirring to combine all the ingredients together.

8. Turn the stove to a low heat and simmer (stay just below boiling point while bubbling gently). Add a little water if it starts to look dry.

9. Add the sausages, mixing well, and continue to cook for another 10 minutes.

10. Remove from the heat and serve.

11. Enjoy! 

Remember, there's one key rule with Charity Chomp... if you think it's delicious, donate!  

Click HERE to support Caring Cooks.   

This recipe first featured on Bailiwick Wellbeing, your free guide to wellness in work and island life to help you start the weekend - and week ahead - in the right way. Sign up now here.