emergency sausage and beans supper

The stress is mounting at work--the Dreaded Exams are coming. Preparing extra revision materials for borderline students is taking up a lot of my brain power. There just doesn't seem to be much space left in my head for thinking of what to eat for dinner. And sometimes I forget to shop for food, too. It was one of those nights when we both came home tired and stressed. I was in a dyspeptic mood after a bit too much hassle from deadlines and even slack-jawed drooling seemed like an effort.


There were four friendless sausages in the fridge--I couldn't find even an onion to keep them company. Instead I pulled out a few tins from the pantry and splashed everything together in a big pot. We escaped to our safe place on the couch with a supper of sausages and beans. Our dribbles weren't noticed in the supportive tomato stew.

Emergency Sausage and Beans Supper
serves 2

The only fresh items here are the sausages, and a little handful of spinach. No greens are really required, and when the fridge is truly empty then use frozen sausages instead (follow the package directions for cooking).

4 sausages
2 cans of chopped tomoatoes
2 cans of beans, for example kidney beans and chickpeas, drained
2 t dried oregano
2 t dried basil
salt and pepper
a handful of spinach leaves

Brown the sausages in a large pan, turning to evenly colour all sides.
Add the beans, tomatoes, oregano, and basil.
Simmer for 15 minutes, then test sausages to see if they are done by cutting into one: no pink should remain.
Add salt and pepper if needed.
Toss in the spinach, stir, and serve.