Sausage & Puy Lentil Cassoulet with Cider & French Mustard

Wed, 28 August 2024

Ingredients
• 8 large jumbo sausages
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• ½ cup diced bacon, ham, or chorizo
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 2 celery sticks, chopped
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 4 sprigs of thyme, chopped
• 200ml cider or apple juice
• 300ml chicken stock
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 2 cans of precooked Puy lentils, drained
• Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method
1. Grab a wide-based pot or casserole dish that can be used on the hob.
2. Place it over medium heat and add the oil. Once hot, brown the sausages for about 5 minutes, then set them aside.
3. Add the diced bacon to the pot and sauté until it turns golden.
4. Add the butter, followed by the diced onion, garlic, celery, carrots, and thyme. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
5. Stir in the flour, ensuring everything is well-coated, then pour in the cider. Bring the mixture to a simmer before adding the chicken stock.
6. Let it simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Slice each sausage into 3 pieces and add them back into the pot along with the lentils. Stir well and cook for another 10 minutes or until the sausages are fully cooked.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
9. Serve in bowls, topped with fresh parsley, Dijon mustard, and a drizzle of honey.
Enjoy this delicious, heartwarming dish that's perfect for a cozy family dinner!