Friday, July 1, 2011

Making Sausage

Going back to Weight Watchers means I'm being much more diligent about the fat content of the foods I choose to eat.  DH and I both enjoy having sausage patties for breakfast and I've tried several brands of turkey sausage trying to find one that we both like.

So far, the best one I've tasted is Jimmy Dean fully cooked turkey sausage patties.  Our grocers keep them in the refrigerated case near the lunch meats, etc.  There's only 8 patties in a box and they're quite expensive.

Since I read cookbooks like most people read a novel, I ran across a recipe for some breakfast patties made with ground turkey and decided to change it up just a little.  Instead of using two pounds of ground turkey, I opted for one pound of ground pork (Hormel) and one pound of ground turkey (Honeysuckle White).  Both are good low fat options.  Substituting the pork for half of the turkey kept it from being quite so dry and improved the flavor.

I had my doubts about adding ginger to the mixture--had no idea that would be considered a sausage spice--but it does give some added flavor to the meat.

It was super simple to combine all the ingredients using my Kitchenaid mixer.  I then divided the mixture into two portions and shaped them into long rolls and placed them in the freezer for a while to firm up.  After they were chilled and easier to handle, I sliced the rolls into 32 patties and cooked them.  Whenever I cook bacon or sausage I cook the entire package and just store it in the refrigerator and we use the microwave to heat it.  Saves lots of time in the mornings and you only have to clean up the stove once! LOL!

This is a much less expensive option for a low fat sausage and it tastes better than commercially prepared turkey sausage.  It's another new recipe to go in my Cricut Cookbook!

BREAKFAST PATTIES

1 lb. Ground pork
1 lb. Ground turkey
1 ½ tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Dried sage
1 tsp. Black pepper
½ tsp. Ground ginger
½ tsp. Cayenne pepper


Mix together thoroughly.
Shape into patties and fry in nonstick skillet.
Makes 32 one ounce patties.

Weight Watcher Point count 1.75 per oz. using
Hormel ground pork and Honeysuckle White
Ground turkey

1 comment:

Vanessa said...

Thanks for posting the recipe! I love sausage and I'm always trying to find healthier options. Can't wait to give this a try!