Sweet Italian Sausage Recipes

Steps:

• Place the pork and red wine vinegar in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, paprika, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, brown sugar, oregano, and thyme. Knead until flecks of spice are evenly distributed through the sausage.
• Divide the sausage into thirds, and form into 3 logs; wrap each in plastic wrap. Place wrapped sausage into a freezer bag before freezing, or store in refrigerator for at least 12 hours before cooking.

Steps:

• Boil the water and cook the penne according to package directions. DO NOT ever add oil to the water! It will make your sauce slide off the pasta later.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil (medium-high heat) in a large skillet and saute the broccoli, sausage and garlic until tender and starting to brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Toss the butter, hot pasta, sausage mixture and romano cheese together and serve. Pass the grated cheese at the table.

Steps:

• In a large saute pan or pot, cook the sausage over medium-high heat until the fat is rendered and the sausages start to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the pan.
• To the fat remaining in the pan, add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the fennel seeds, salt, and red pepper, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 20 to 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and their juice, the tomato paste, oregano, and cooked sausage and cook, stirring, until thick and fragrant, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning, to taste.
• Meanwhile, in a pot of salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and toss in the pot with the sauce. Stir in the ricotta salata and basil. Serve immediately and garnish with Parmesan cheese at the table.

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients except the salt in a large 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 hog casing. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to blend.
• Sauté or grill, or cook as directed in individual recipes. (The uncooked sausage will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 week.)

Steps:

• Put the olive oil and garlic in a heavy saucepan that will hold the sausage in a single layer.
• Place it over medium-high heat and saute the garlic cloves until lightly browned on all sides.
• While garlic is browning, coarsely chop the fresh sage.
• When the garlic has browned, discard it.
• Add the sage to the pan and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes and beans.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the sausage.
• When tomatoes begin to bubble, turn the heat down to medium-low.
• Cover the pan and cook at a gentle simmer until the sausages feel tender when pricked with a fork, about 20 minutes.
• Check the pan occasionally and add a little water if all the liquid evaporates before the sausages are done.