IRISH SAUSAGE AND POTATO PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Heat a nonstick fry pan.
• Add the sausages and gently fry for about 10 minutes, until almost cooked through and golden brown.
• Remove from the pan and slice into three, lengthwise on the diagonal.
• Heat the frying pan once more.
• Add half the butter, and when melted add the onions.
• Cook gently for 10 minutes until soft and translucent.
• Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add the bacon lardons to the pan and cook over a high heat for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crispy.
• Remove and drain on paper towel.
• Add the cabbage and 2 TBS water.
• Quickly cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the cabbage is just beginning to wilt.
• Drain off any fat, remove from the pan and set aside.
• Grease a large gratin dish with 1 oz. of the butter.
• Place a layer of sliced potatoes in the bottom of the dish.
• Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkling of the thyme.
• Top with a layer of sliced sausages, then a layer of onion.
• Spoon over the cooked cabbage and bacon.
• Top with another layer of potato, season again as before, then add another layer of sausage, then onion and finally sliced potato.
• Season again with the salt, pepper and thyme.
• Gently heat the cream, stock and bay leaves until almost boiling.
• *DON'T BOIL! Pour over the sausage and potato pie, just to cover the top layer of potatoes.
• Dot with the remaining butter and cover with foil.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 1 3/4 hours.
• Remove foil, increase oven temp to 400°F and bake for a further 15 minutes until golden.