Chef Tips
Brown the sausages properly before adding anything else
Take the full 5 minutes to get a deep, even brown on the sausages all over. Don’t rush it or just get a light colour. That browning builds flavour that transfers to the sauce when the water and stock cubes go in and dissolve all the residue off the base of the pan. If the pan dries out and the fond starts to catch while you’re cooking the onions, add a small splash of water and scrape it up before it burns.
Keep the sausages whole through the entire cook
Don’t cut or slice the sausages before cooking. Cutting them first lets the internal fat and juices run out into the sauce during the simmer, which makes the sausage pieces dry and slightly grainy. Kept whole, they stay juicy all the way through. Cut them on the plate or just before serving. If you’re making this ahead of time, leave the sausages whole in the sauce until you’re ready to reheat and serve.
Storage
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
FAQs
Can I use beef or chicken sausages instead of pork? Yes. Beef sausages have enough fat to hold up well through the simmering time and work just as well as pork. Chicken sausages are leaner and cook through faster, so reduce the overall simmering time by a few minutes and check they’re cooked through.
Why use Japanese curry cubes instead of curry powder? Japanese curry cubes contain a pre-made roux which thickens the sauce as it dissolves, so you end up with a glossy, cohesive curry without making a spice blend or a separate roux from scratch. The flavour is mild, slightly sweet and very consistent between batches. If you prefer to use curry powder, fry 2 tablespoons of good curry powder with the onions, then mix 1 tablespoon of plain flour into 2 tablespoons of butter and stir that in with the water to thicken.