Donal's apple bangers with parsnip and leek mash and cider gravy

Visiting from his new hometown in LA, Donal Skehan's in the kitchen with a dish that takes him back to his Irish roots.

In celebration of apple season, he's cooking a comforting weekend meal that makes the most of October's seasonal fruit - apple bangers with parsnip & leek mash, cider gravy and black pudding crumble!

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tbsp rapeseed oil1 large onion, very finely sliced2 tsp plain flour1 tbsp chopped fresh sage330ml bottle Artisan dry cider1-2 tsp crab apple jelly8 Bramley apple pork sausages1 slice black pudding (optional)

For the parsnip mash:

675g small parsnips, peeled and cut into 2.5cm pieces25g butter2 small leeks, trimmed and finely sliced2 teaspoons Dijon mustardSplash of creamSea salt and freshly ground white pepper

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.

• For the parsnip mash, steam the parsnip for 15-20 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, sauté the leeks in the butter in a frying pan until softened but not coloured. Mash the parsnips and season with salt and pepper, then beat in the sautéed leeks with the mustard and cream.

• For the sage & cider gravy, heat half the rapeseed oil in a large pan and sauté the onion for 10-15 minutes until lightly golden. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute, then gradually add the cider and allow to reduce down by half. Add the sage and then whisk in enough of the apple jelly to taste. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.

• Heat the remaining rapeseed oil in a large non-stick frying pan and sauté the sausages until lightly golden all over, turning regularly with a tongs. Transfer to a baking tin and place in the oven for another 10 minutes or until cooked through and tender.

• If using, break up the black pudding into small pieces. Return the frying pan to the heat and quickly sauté the black pudding for a couple of minutes until sizzling. Arrange the parsnip and leek mash on warmed serving plates with the Bramley apple bangers and spoon over the sage & cider gravy. Scatter over the black pudding crumble to serve.