Fresh Country Pork Sausage With Pepper And Sage Recipes

Steps:

• 1. The bread should be completely stale. If not, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and put in a low oven (250 degrees) for about 1 hour to dry them out. (I think this light toasting gives the dressing a better flavor.)
• 2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet. Add the sausage meat and brown it, breaking up meat into pieces about the size of a quarter. This need not be precise. Transfer meat from skillet to large bowl, using a slotted spoon. Add onion and celery to the skillet. After 1 minute, add the apples and cook 2 more minutes. Place in bowl with sausage.
• 3. Add bread cubes, parsley and sage to the bowl.
• 4. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs and stock with the salt and pepper. Pour this over the sausage mixture and gently toss all the ingredients. They should combine without mushing.
• 5. Generously butter a 16-inch baking pan (2 tablespoons). Spread the mixture in the pan and dot with more butter (4 tablespoons).
• 6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. The top should have a nice golden brown crust.

Steps:

• Combine 1/3 pork and 1/3 pork fat in processor. Using on/off turns, process mixture until finely ground. Transfer to large bowl. Repeat with remaining pork and pork fat in 2 more batches. Sprinkle water, sage, salt, and red and black pepper over pork. Using moistened hands, mix sausage just until blended. Wrap sausage in plastic and chill. (Sausage can be prepared up to 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Form sausage into 3-inch-diameter patties. Heat heavy large skillet over medium heat. Fry patties in batches until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels; keep warm. Transfer to platter and serve.