Zampone e Lenticchie

Serves 4

Ingredients

8 Italian sausages

1 onion

500g lentils

1 clove garlic

100ml red wine

Olive oil

Salt

Fresh parsley

Method

1. To cook the lentils, add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to a saucepan (you will need one with a lid) and heat.

2. Once the oil is hot, finely chop your onion and add it to the pan.

3. Sprinkle the onions with salt and cook on a medium heat until they are soft, which should take around five minutes.

4. Add the lentils to the pan, stirring well to combine them with the onions, before generously covering with water.

5. Bring the water to the boil before covering the pan and leaving to simmer gently for approximately 30 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked and most of the water has been absorbed.

6. When your lentils are nearly ready, it is time to cook the sausages. Heat your oil in a frying pan.

7. Chop your clove of garlic by squashing it with the flat side of the knife, pressing down on it with your hand until you feel it crack.

8. Peel the skin from the garlic with your hands before chopping it horizontally and then vertically until it is in very small pieces.

9. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for a few minutes.

10. Add the sausages to the pan and cook until they are brown on both sides, which should take approximately 5 minutes.

11. Add 50ml of water and 500ml of red wine to the pan and cover with a lid if you have one, or make one out of tinfoil, before leaving to cook for 15 minutes.

12. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your preference, adding a little water if you think the sauce needs it.

13. Remove the lentils from the pan and distribute evenly between four bowls.

14. Place the sausages on top of the lentils before pouring the remaining sauce over the top.

15. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.