Sausage with Onion Gravy

INGREDIENTS:

For the Sausages:

8 pork sausages

1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola)

For the Onion Gravy:

2 large onions, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for caramelizing onions)

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional, for depth of flavor)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter option)

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional, for added flavor)

DIRECTIONS:

Cooking the Sausages:

Preheat the Pan: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Brown the Sausages: Add the sausages to the skillet. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are nicely browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the sausages from the pan and set aside. Keep them warm.

Making the Onion Gravy:

Sauté the Onions: In the same skillet, add the butter and an additional tablespoon of oil. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and golden brown. This may take about 15-20 minutes. If using, add the sugar and balsamic vinegar halfway through to help caramelize the onions.

Make a Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the onions, stirring to combine. Cook for a minute to get rid of the raw flour taste.

Add the Broth: Gradually whisk in the beef broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Increase the heat to medium-high, and bring the mixture to a simmer. The gravy will start to thicken.

Season the Gravy: Add salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce (if using) to taste. If you have fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, add them now.

Combine: Reduce the heat to low. Return the sausages to the skillet, nestling them into the onion gravy. Cover and simmer gently for about 10 minutes to allow the sausages to soak up some of the gravy flavors.

Serving:

Serve the sausages and onion gravy hot, ideally over mashed potatoes, to soak up all that delicious gravy. This dish pairs well with steamed green vegetables like peas or green beans for a complete meal.

Enjoy your comforting and savory sausage with onion gravy!