Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 8 thick sausages (beef, pork, or flavored)
• For the mash:
• 2 lbs potatoes (900g), peeled and quartered
• 6 tbsp milk
• 1 stick butter (110g), cubed

Salt and ground black pepper

• For the onion gravy:
• 2 medium onions, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 ¼ pint (700ml) beef stock
• 4 tsp corn starch/corn flour
• 4 tsp cold water

Salt and ground black pepper

Start by Making the Onion Gravy

1. Melt the oil and butter in a large saucepan over a gentle heat. Add the onion and cover with a lid. Cook slowly for approx 10 mins or until the onions are soft.
2. Add the sugar and balsamic vinegar to the onions and stir well. Cover with the lid and continue to cook for a further 5 minutes.
3. Add the stock and boil gently uncovered for 5 minutes.
4. In a heatproof jug or bowl mix the corn starch/flour with the cold water to a thin paste. Pour a little of the hot gravy into the starch mixture and mix thoroughly. Pour the starch mixture back into the gravy, raise the heat to high and boil for 10 minutes or until the gravy is slightly thickened. Keep warm until ready to serve
5. Cook the Potatoes
6. Meanwhile, start the mashed potato by boiling the potatoes in lightly salted water until soft. Drain, and keep warm until ready to mash.
7. While the potatoes are cooking cook the sausages.
8. Cook the Sausages
9. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, turn the heat to medium and add the sausages. Fry until the sausages are golden brown and firm, turning them from time to time - about 20 minutes. Once cooked place in an ovenproof dish and keep warm until the mash and gravy are ready.
10. Finish the mash by placing the milk and butter in the pan used to boil the potatoes, return to the heat and warm gently until the butter has melted.
11. Add the potatoes and mash using either a potato masher, a fork or a potato ricer. Whip the mashed potato lightly with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper.
12. To Serve: Spoon the mash onto 4 warmed dinner plates, place two fat sausages on top of the mash with the gravy pored over.