Pork and Chickpea Casserole

8 oz Italian sausages (sweet or hot)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 ½ lbs boneless pork butt cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (19 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup water or white wine
½  cup rice (preferably brown)
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt and black pepper
½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley

1. In a saucepan arrange sausages in a single layer. Pour in about `/2 inch water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook about 10 minutes or until sausages are no longer pink inside. Drain and cool. Cut sausages into 1-inch slices.

2. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat. In batches, brown pork.

3. Return all pork to saucepan. Stir in onions and garlic; cook for 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Stir in sausages, tomatoes and juices, chickpeas, water, rice, basil and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 30 to 35 minutes or until rice and pork are tender. Remove bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in parsley.

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