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American Breakfast Sausage

Breakfast sausage, in patties or links, is a staple of the great American breakfast plate. It’s an important player in the hearty, stoke-up-for-the-day meal that includes eggs, cooked anyway you’d like; toast or pancakes; and mugs of hot java. It is served on the road as early as 4 a.m. to truckers and workers off to the fields or factories. A bit later, it feeds tourists fueling up for a day’s adventure of skiing, mountain climbing, and other energetic activities. And on Sunday mornings, home-style cafes are filled with customers looking to splurge calories on a big breakfast out. But you don’t need to stop at breakfast when using this sausage. It also makes a delicious taco filling or pizza topping. As often as not, breakfast sausage is served in patties, but if you prefer links, you can stuff it into sheep casing.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 pound

Ingredients

14 ounces ground pork
2 ounces salt pork, fat only, minced
3/4 teaspoon rubbed sage (not ground sage)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
Scant 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste, if needed

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place all the ingredients except the salt in a medium bowl, and knead with your hands until thoroughly blended. Cook and taste a small sample, then add the salt if needed. Leave in bulk and shape as directed in individual recipes or stuff into sheep casing. The sausage can be used right away. (The uncooked sausage will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 week.)

    Step 2

    Sauté or grill, or cook as directed in individual recipes.

Sausage
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