The Potting Shed

agapanthus · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject: sausage making

My pal has coerced me in helping him make his first batch of sausages...(I'm the guinea pig ! ) ...(or is it just pig?) anyway, as I'm new to this too have any of you experienced sausage folk got any tips for us? Very Happy

Bovey Belle · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject:

Yes, only do sausage making when your brain is completely engaged and with it. Today, I used the instructions from one sausage-making booklet (that came with the little hand machine I had from Lakeland, now very broken) and the new electric sausage machine I bought last year, and the dry ingredients - rusk and flavourings - I bought. Combined the wrong amounts of flavourings and made totally inedible sausages. I had two lots in the freezer before I thought to fry a little test piece. Then I tried to redeem the final lot by adding lots of breadcrumbs and turning them into burgers - which were also totally inedible - and some koftas, which I haven't even bothered tasting, but binned straight away.

What a waste of pork and an afternoon. My sausages have been wonderful before, but I should have started earlier and made sure my brain was engaged - I made fabulous bread, and soup, this morning first thing . . .

Somerset Lad · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:50 pm Post subject:

My advice would be to get a good ratio of lean to fat around 75% to 25% fat add pre soaked rusk (i use cider with pork) add your spices and herbs or flavourings pepper, salt, (you need more salt than you may think) mace, ginger, sage, parsley, thyme, leeks, apples, garlic. The skies the limit. Crushed fennel seeds are good, red wine and paprika for a chorizo styled sausage. Mix well test fry a little and taste, adjust seasoning to your liking test again then stuff the sausages, link then hang up to dry for an hour or two. Leave 24 hours then use . Happy sausage making. Laughing

agapanthus · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice...
Bovey Belle.....my brain is never in gear...see summer bulb swap!!!! So sorry you had to throw away your efforts Sad

SL..Would never have thought to try some before stuffing the whole lot....see above Sad

agapanthus · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 2:37 pm Post subject:

Did'nt realise making sausages would be addictive and hard work!
We started work at 6pm and finished at 2.15am!!
At the back from left....pork apple and leek, goosewurst
In the front from left....pork with paprika, duck sun-dried tomato and basil and lastly duck with allspice and juniper berries Very Happy

Leonie2 · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 2:45 pm Post subject:

those combinations sound really nice agapanthus, well done you did a good job. sausage making is something I'm yet to try Very Happy

agapanthus · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject:

It's a lot easier Leonie with two people Smile

Somerset Lad · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject:

Well done you, all looks very professional, and i'll bet they are tasty too. Laughing