Sweet Brandy Elk Sausage With Caramelized Apples Food

SHEET-PAN SAUSAGES WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS AND APPLES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the shallots lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Core the apples and cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Place the shallots and apples on a sheet pan, drizzle with the 1 tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Roast the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes, until the shallots are just starting to brown at the edges.
• Meanwhile, place the sausages on a plate. Using a fork, prick a few holes in each sausage. Drizzle the sausages with olive oil and toss to coat.
• Add the rosemary and mustard to the pan with the apples and shallots, and toss, spreading everything out into one even layer. Arrange the sausages on the pan, evenly distributed, and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping the sausages and tossing the apples and shallots with the juices released from the sausages halfway through, until the sausages are browned and cooked to 160 degrees and the shallots are tender and caramelized.
• Transfer the sausages to a serving platter and discard the rosemary sprigs. Pour the vinegar over the apples and shallots, and toss well, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Transfer to the serving platter with the sausages, sprinkle with parsley, if using, and serve immediately.

ELK SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Grind each meat separately then mix together. It is best if you grind the meat when it is very cold. Mix the ground meat together with all the seasonings. Form into small patties. Saute a small piece and test for taste. You may need to adjust the spices. Next, place a length (10 to 15 feet) of sausage casing on a sausage horn and force mixture into casing. Twist sausages in alternating directions to create 6 to 8-inch long sausages. If well protected, finished sausages can be frozen in a non-frost free freezer for up to a year. The sausages can be cooked directly on a grill or sauteed in a pan. For best results, boil sausages first and finish on grill or pan. Can serve with maple syrup.

SAUSAGES WITH APPLES AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Put 2 tablespoons butter in a large cast-iron skillet or wide, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, season generously with salt and pepper and stir to coat with butter. Add bay leaf, cloves, allspice, caraway and thyme. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft and nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to keep onions from browning too quickly.
• Remove onions from pan and arrange on a platter. Put 2 more tablespoons butter in pan, and add apples. Raise heat to medium-high and brown apples on both sides, using a spatula to turn them, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove apples and arrange them on top of onions. Keep platter warm in a low oven.
• Keep stovetop heat at medium and place sausages in pan in one layer. Prick each sausage in several places with the tip of a sharp paring knife or toothpick.
• Let sausages brown slowly on one side (check their progress by turning them over with a fork or tongs) for 6 to 8 minutes. Lower the temperature if they're browning too quickly.
• Turn sausages over, and add 1/2 cup water to the pan. Let water evaporate completely, then continue to let sausages brown slowly for about 5 more minutes. (Cooking sausages at too high a temperature will cause them to burst; err on the cooler side.)
• To serve, place cooked sausages in the center of the onion-apple mixture on platter. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

GRILLED SAUSAGES WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND APPLES

Steps:

• Prepare grill for high heat.
• With a fork, poke sausages several times. Place in a pot, cover with water, and simmer over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Warm butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions, and cook until soft and translucent. Stir in apples, vinegar, and brown sugar; cook, stirring gently, until caramelized, about 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, place sausages on grill (or under broiler), and cook until well browned. Serve on a mound of caramelized apples and onions.