| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 263 | 9.2g | 1.8g | 29g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 8.3g | 19g | 1.5g |
Why I Love British Quorn Sausage Casserole
There are recipes that you return to time and time again simply because they remind you of a cherished memory, a special time, or even a loved one. The Quorn Sausage Casserole is one such dish for me. This British marvel, with its assortment of fresh vegetables enveloped in a thick, tomato-based sauce and studded with juicy Quorn sausages, isn’t traditionally Gujarati or American. But what I love about this recipe is its compatibility with my culinary philosophy of appreciating and integrating the diverse food cultures that I grew up with on the West Coast.
Fusion in Flavours
The Quorn Sausage Casserole is a melting pot of diverse ingredients, each contributing their unique textures and tastes – comparable to the Gujarati-American fusion meals I so passionately create. The sausages pull in the protein, while the medley of peppers, carrots, and onions hold up the vegetable front. The mixed herbs and Worcestershire sauce offer an unrivaled aromatic depth, akin to the spices in Indian cuisine. Finally, the consistency perfecting agent, corn flour, gives it a heartier feel – another silent nod to the thickness prefaced in many Indian dishes.
Linking with the Legends
It’s thanks to the inspiration drawn from renowned British chef Jamie Oliver, that this recipe strikes a perfect balance between the hearty nature of British cooking and the vibrancy that adorns my Indian-American kitchen. Oliver’s emphasis on fresh and simple ingredients truly resonate with my Californian upbringing, forming a captivating backdrop to my experimental culinary canvas.
The Quorn Sausage Casserole, reminding me, in fact, of a Westernised version of an Indian mixed vegetable sabzi cooked in a simmering, aromatic tomato gravy, breathes life into the concept of food unifying cultures. With its comfort-food vibe, it makes an ideal companion to a bowl of steamed basmati rice or freshly baked whole grain bread.
Cooking, to me, is all about uniting cultures, traditions and memories to create something deliciously meaningful. And this dish does exactly that. It’s a testament to how food traverses borders, melts down barriers and cultivates connections – linking my Gujarati roots to my Californian upbringing, and creating a delicious harmony between my Indian heritage and American lifestyle.
What You’ll Need
- 6 Quorn sausages
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 Medium onions, finely chopped
- 1 Garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 Red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
- 1 Green bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
- 1.5 cups Carrots, chopped
- 2 cups of Vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 can (14 oz) Chopped tomatoes
- 2 tsp Dried mixed herbs
- Pinch of Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp Corn flour, mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (optional for thickening)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Method
Step One
Begin by heating the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add your Quorn sausages and cook them until they turn golden brown. Once they’re done, remove them from the pan and set them aside for now.
Step Two
In the same pan, add your finely chopped onions, garlic clove and both sliced red and green bell peppers. Cook them on medium heat until they become soft and the onions turn translucent. This usually takes around 5-10 minutes.
Step Three
Once your vegetables have softened, add the chopped carrots to the pan and cook for another 5 minutes. Then, stir in the tomato paste and mix well to ensure all the vegetables are coated.
Step Four
Add the vegetable stock to your pan, followed by the can of chopped tomatoes and two teaspoons of dried mixed herbs. Stir everything well, then bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat, cover the pan and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
Step Five
While your vegetable mixture is simmering, slice your browned Quorn sausages and add them to the pan. Also add the Worcestershire sauce and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything well to combine.
Step Six
If desired, you can thicken your casserole by mixing one tablespoon of cornflour with two tablespoons of cold water, then adding this mixture to the casserole. Stir it in well and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your liking.
Step Seven
Check the seasoning of your casserole and adjust if needed. Your Quorn Sausage Casserole is now ready to serve. Enjoy hot.
