As Winter continues to grip our unmentionables with its frozen, school nurse-like hand, thoughts wander to warmer, more filling and comforting foods. This recipe is a cheap, warming and tasty solution for the long nights. I like to substitute the bacon for pancetta to give it a more smokey flavour. Also, remember to thoroughly drain and rinse the beans  because not doing so can take away the awesome.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 12 good free-range pork sausages
• 6 rashers of bacon or some chopped pancetta
• 1 med red onion
• 2 cloves garlic peeled & chopped
• 1 red chilli (or more to taste) chopped
• 1 tablesp dark soft brown sugar
• 2 x 400gr tins plum or chopped tomatoes
• Dash of red or white wine
• 2 410 tins cannellini beans drained and rinsed.
• 1 410 g tin kidney beans drained and rinsed.
• Leaves from fresh parsley.

Method

• Place a large heavy based saucepan on the hob and heat the oil.
• Add the sausages and fry over a medium heat, turning them over until they are browned.
• Take them out of the pan, halve them and set aside.
• Add a little extra oil if necessary, turn the heat to low and add the bacon and the onion and fry gently for about 10mins stirring from time to time so they don’t stick to the bottom.  They will pick up the lovely sausage goo from the saucepan.
• Add the garlic and chilli and fry for another couple of mins then add the sugar.
• Pour in the tomatoes, wine and 275 ml of water. Stir in the sausages and the beans.
• Bring to the boil then cover and cook for 15 to 20 mins over a low to medium heat until the sausages are well cooked through.
• To Serve taste and season and sprinkle with the parlsey.
• Serve with fresh crusty bread or mash potatoes.

I’m not sure, is faceless kissing a good thing? A step up from wearing a paper bag perhaps?

This is confusing as well. Are those men about to throw Superman into a lake to celebrate his birthday, or are they … oh wait.

So when did Transformers start controlling our children’s education? Did no one even think to send me the memo? I guess the Target Masters are for that new fangled early examination fad. It’ll never last.

The only Strange Tale I’m hoping resides beyond this cover is how someone came up with those costumes. Although, to be fair, it looks as though the Black Cat has her usual costume on backwards. But Dagger? Really?