THIS is an ideal winter dish but it’s so popular in the restaurant that we often have it on the menu, no matter what the weather.

It seems obvious, but a good casserole depends on the quality of the ingredients. Obviously you’re depending on someone else’s product when using sausages and black pudding, so do try to get the best you can. It’ll make such a difference to the dish.

For those who aren’t that keen on black pudding, give this a go – particularly if it’s the texture you don’t like. The pudding breaks down a little and gives a lovely richness to the sauce.

600g good quality pork sausages

250g good quality black pudding, cut into cubes

Four carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

Half a swede, peeled and roughly chopped

One large onion, peeled and finely diced

Four sticks of celery, cut into 1cm pieces

One litre of chicken stock

A couple of sprigs of thyme

Two bay leaves

A handful of pearl barley

Salt and freshly-ground black pepper

Vegetable oil

Method:

Unless you like the look of pink sausages, lightly brown them under the grill. They don’t need to be cooked, just coloured.

Pour a couple of tablespoons of oil into a large pan or casserole that can sit on the cooker. Heat, add the carrots, swede, onion and celery and cook over a low-to-medium heat until they start to brown. Add the chicken stock, bay leaves and thyme. Bring to a boil, add the pearl barley and allow to cook for a further ten minutes.

Add the black pudding and allow to cook for a few minutes and you’ll notice the pudding start to break down a little and enrich the sauce.

Turn the heat down and add the sausages along with a little black pepper. Cook for a further 20 to 25 minutes, tasting and adding salt if necessary.

To serve, pile into warmed bowls and accompany with crusty bread. Or, if you wish, it goes great with mash, bubble and squeak or a few new potatoes.