Sweet Italian sausage patties get quick colour in a hot pan, then finish with soft spinach and tart apple. A weeknight main that comes together in twenty minutes, the sausage staying juicy while the apple adds brightness to balance its sweetness.

Serves 2. 25 minutes, 20 at the stove.

About 330 calories a serving, 10 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate, 26 g fat. From USDA figures for 100% of the ingredients; amounts are the recipe's.

Cook mode

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, lay the 4 sausage patties in the pan without moving them and cook until the undersides are golden, about four to five minutes.5 min
2. Flip each patty and cook for another four to five minutes until the second side browns and the centre is cooked through. Transfer to a plate.5 min
3. Lower the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Mince 2 garlic cloves into the butter and stir for thirty seconds until fragrant.
4. Core and slice the apple into half-inch wedges, then add them to the pan. Stir often and cook until just tender, about three minutes, then season lightly with salt and pepper.3 min
5. Add the 4 ounces of spinach in two handfuls, stirring between them until the leaves wilt and any liquid evaporates, about two minutes. Return the sausages to the pan to warm through for one minute.3 min

Note Swap the spinach for shredded kale or chard if you prefer. Leftovers keep in an airtight container for two days and reheat gently on the stovetop. Serve alongside buttered rice or crusty bread to catch the pan juices.