The Pie of the Italian Irishman

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 2 tablespoons sausage drippings
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 2 apples, cored and sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 3 cups prepared mashed potatoes
• 1 tablespoon melted margarine

Step 1

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 2-quart casserole dish. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it up as it browns and becomes crumbly—this should take about 10 minutes. Once it’s cooked, scoop the sausage into the casserole dish, leaving about 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pan.

Step 2

In a separate skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of margarine over medium heat. Add the sliced apples and onions, cooking them until they’re tender, which usually takes around 8 minutes. Toss the cooked apple and onion into the casserole dish with the sausage and gently mix everything together. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt, some black pepper, and a sprinkle of oregano.

Step 3

Using the reserved drippings in the skillet, stir in the flour and cook it until it turns a light brown. Slowly whisk in the water, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens—this should take about 3 minutes. Pour the gravy over the sausage mixture in the casserole dish.

Step 4

Spread mashed potatoes over the top, using a spoon to create little peaks. Brush the potatoes lightly with a tablespoon of melted margarine to help them brown nicely. Pop the dish in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes have a golden crust and you see the sausage mixture bubbling around the edges.