How to Make Italian Sausage

Ground Italian Sausage main pic

Easy Italian Sausage

You’re going to love learning How to Make Italian Sausage.  This is, of course, a sweet and spicy recipe that can be easily adjusted to your specific tastes and, most importantly, reveals the secret to actually making it taste like sausage instead of just seasoned ground pork.

The secret lies in 3 places.  First, the sausage has got to have a 2 to 1 ratio; 2 parts meat and 1 part Fat and in this particular case it’s 2 parts Pork Picnic Shoulder Muscle(which is very tender) and 1 part Bacon or Fat Back.  If you’re wondering what Fat Back is, it’s just exactly what it sounds like; the Fat in the back of the pig; which is where bacon is derived from anyway so why not just use bacon.  Plus, for me personally, I can’t get Fat Back where I live without ordering a minimum of 60 lbs and I’ll never make that much sausage.

The Second secret is the ingredients.  This means any kind of sausage you want to make, whether it be Breakfast, Italian, or Chorizo etc., will all depend on the ingredients, or seasonings, going into the 2 to 1 ratio.

The Third thing is all about the binder.  The binder is what fuses the meat and ingredients together and keeps them from falling apart.  I’ve also found that it’s a big part of the the seasoning which also effects the performance in the sausage when it cooks.

Italian Sausage Patties Main pic

For example:  Most Italian Sausage recipes add a red wine and vinegar combination as a binder, which is fine, but this creates a bitter taste so you have to compensate with a sweetener, like sugar.  But I have found that Corn Syrup works even better and I add Vegetable Shortening.  Why the Shortening?  Cooking the sausage without it leaves the meat very dry.  It leaves an added quality to the sausage that improves the flavor and adds a moist tenderness to the meat when it’s done.

If you’re interested in more of my recipes with sausage in them, check out my Egg Noodle Lasagna and my Spaghetti with Meatballs.

Italian Sausage Ingredients:

2 lbs Pork shoulder Cusion Meat
1 lbs Bacon
6 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
1/4 cup Fresh Parsly, chopped
1 tbsp Fennel Seed
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 tbsp Paprika
1 tbsp Red Chili Flakes
Salt and Pepper to taste, approximately 1/2 tbsp of each

Binders

1/3 cup Corn Syrup
1/4 cup Vegetable Shortening

Be sure to watch the short video tutorial and I will show you exactly how to make this Italian Sausage.

Cheeseburger Pot Pie

Cheese Burger Pot Pie Main pic

The Best Cheeseburger Pot Pie

This Cheeseburger Pot Pie sure is a fun twist on a traditional cheeseburger and a Pot Pie. Besides, who doesn’t truly love a puff pastry or pie crust cooked to perfection.  Personally, I think combining these two recipes is Genius.  But don’t just take my word for it.  Originally, I saw this idea posted on Instagram and I decided that I needed to try it for my self and I suggest that you do the same.

Make a Crispy Cheeseburger Pot Pie

As you’ve probably already guessed, the only difference between a regular burger and this Cheeseburger Pot Pie is that it isn’t made with a bun, it is baked with a Pastry.  So, you should treat it as such.

The one thing I learned, after I filmed the video, was that I should have baked the bottom crust first, for approximately 10 minutes, before I added the other ingredients and baked them altogether, as instructed.  This ensures that the entire pot pie turns out crispy and it makes a much more pleasant experience eating it like a hamburger.

Also be sure to check out my Southwestern Chicken Pot Pie, my Double Ground Beef Burger, my Turkey Burger Sliders and my French Onion style Bison Burger Recipes.

Cheese Burger Pot Pie Ingredients:

2 Puff Pastry Sheets 12″ X 12″
1 lbs Ground Beef
1 egg for egg wash
1 pickle, sliced
Ketchup and Mustard, to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste

Bake the bottom crust for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then add the rest of the ingredients to make the Cheeseburger Pot Pie and bake again for an additional 15 Minutes.

Italian Seasoned Breaded Pork Chops

Italian Pork Chops Main Pic

These are Italian seasoned Breaded Pork chops that smother with Mozzarella cheese and fresh Parsley.  I pan fry each chop in Butter and Coconut oil to give it an added flavor that just melts in your mouth.  I use Cushion Pork, which is a Picnic Shoulder Roast, that makes these chops so tender you won’t even need a knife to cut them.  Plus, there is the added bonus, cutting your own chops instead of using the pre-packaged traditional Loin Chops saves you 2/3 the cost.

Pork Chop Ingredients:

1 pkg Cushion Pork(Shoulder Picnic) or cut Pork Chops
1 can Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
1 egg
1 tbsp Butter
1 tbsp Coconut Oil
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese