Augie Olivers Italian Sausage Food

SWEET CHERRY TOMATO AND SAUSAGE BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Get yourself an appropriately sized roasting pan, large enough to take the tomatoes in 1 snug-fitting layer. Put in all your tomatoes, the herb sprigs, oregano, garlic and sausages. Drizzle well with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Toss together, then make sure the sausages are on top and pop the pan into the oven for half an hour. After this time, give it a shake and turn the sausages over. Put back into the oven for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how golden and sticky you like your sausages.
• Once cooked, you'll have an intense, tomatoey sauce. If it's a little too thin, lift out the sausages and place the pan on the stove to cook it down to the consistency you like - I tend to make mine quite thick - then put the sausages back in. Check the seasoning and serve either with a good-quality loaf of bread warmed through in a low oven for 10 minutes (great for mopping up the sauce!) or with mashed potato, rice or polenta, a green salad and a nice glass of wine.
• "Our agreement with the producers of "Jamie at Home" only permit us to make 2 recipes per episode available online. Food Network regrets the inconvenience to our viewers and foodnetwork.com users"

AUGIE OLIVER'S ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• To prepare casings: Let casings soak in cool water about five minutes to remove salt on outer surface (no longer, or they will become too tender to stuff) and flush salt from the inside by placing one end on faucet nozzle and turn on cold tap water (if you see holes or water leaking, cut and discard).
• Remove casing from faucet and gently squeeze out water; cover rinsed casings and refrigerate until ready to use.
• First grind meat coarsely, incorporate seasonings evenly, and re-grind.
• Fill the casings using the sausage horn attachment and make links by twisting the sausage where you wish the links to be. Four inches is a good size for a regular serving, smaller links may be made for appetizer servings.
• To cook, place the sausage in large saucepan or dutch oven in a single layer; add a little water or broth, cover and heat.
• to a low simmer.
• Maintain a low simmer (sausages may burst if cooked at too high a heat) until the sausage is heated through and cooked thoroughly, approximately 15 minutes.
• Drain and let rest for about 15 minutes before slicing; serve while still warm.