SALSICCIE E PATATE ALLA PAESANA (Sausages & potato in tomato)     back.jpg (2643 bytes)

450g high-meat-content sausages 6 bay leaves, cut in half
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped into quarters
3 large garlic cloves, peeled and sliced very finely salt
2 medium to large onions,sliced very thinly black pepper in a grinder
450 g fresh, ripe plum tomatoes

Pierce the sausages in various places with a fork and put them in a heavy saucepan with the oil, sliced onions and garlic. Cover and turn on the heat to medium low.

While the sausages and onion are cooking, wash the tomatoes and drop them into a pot of boiling water. Drain after 2 minutes, and as soon as hey are cool enough to handle, peel off the skins , cop them and set aside.

When the onion is tender, uncover the pan, raise the heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes coloured a light golden brown.

Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, turn the heat down to medium and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes, stirring from time to time, then add the chopped potato, salt and liberal grindings of black pepper. Pick out and remove the bay leaves. Cover the pan again and continue to cook until the potatoes feel tender when pricked with a fork. Serve at once, or if prepared in advance, reheat covered, over medium heat just before serving.