Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Yep.
So now it's time to upgrade my grinder. I am looking at this one.
http://www.smallappliance.com/produc...s&item=3221548

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

That's similar to the one I have. I like mine.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Well, I totally hosed my current one by doing something REALLY stupid.
Put the grinding head and the feed screw in the dishwasher. Figured that should get them really clean. Pulled them out and the finish was gone, pitting and spots of rust. Checked the manual and in big bold letters - DO NOT PUT REMOVABLE PARTS IN THE DISHWASHER.

D'OH!

The two replacement parts would run around $75 shipped. Less than $20 to replace the entire machine and accessories.
So I figure I'll just bite the bullet and upgrade.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Your subconsience caused you to do this because you really wanted to upgrade :)

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Oops...I hate when I do that. I mean really, they expect me to actually READ the instructions and THEN us the equipment...NAHHHHH!

Let us know how you like the new grinder. Like I said, I have not had any trouble with mine. I just wish I had the time lately to actually get mine out and use it.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

I thinking this should be Peter's new grinder...:noon

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

:lr

Now where is that 220 outlet. :fp2

Not to mention that sucker weighs 148 pounds. :su

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

I believe the phrase is "...go big or go home"

:D

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

:tpd:

I've owned a previous model of basically that one for 5-6 years. It has served me well. As a grinder it works really well. As a sausage stuffer it works but it does take some effort.

I would love to have a dedicated sausage stuffer, but I only make sausage once a year and don't need more clutter.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Same here. I would love to have this 5 lb stuffer, but I just can't justify it for all the more I would use it. I'll make due with what I have for now.

http://www.sausagemaker.com/ProductImages/50510_2.jpg

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

<Godfather Voice>
You could also use it to......... take care of..... a few select annoyances. Capiche`?

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Those things work awesome, thats what I use.
They really aren't that expensive.............

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

They are actually pretty reasonable, but to only use it a couple of times a year AND have to find a place to store it...I just can't justify the cost and harrasement from my wife :D. She is actually pretty tolerant of all my hobbies, but I know my limits. That's one of the reasons we've been married 20 years this fall.

You should post up some pics and recipes of your recent efforts.
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Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Took the plunge today, and tried my hand at sausage.
I was shocked at fast I was progressing through the steps until I got to the stuffing part.
There's a bit of a learning curve there.
The recipe I used wasn't what I was expecting, damn tasty, just not what I was expecting.
Did a 5 pound batch, next time will be more.

Here's the results.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...11BD2D34B5.jpg

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...11A56DCA88.jpg

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

:dr:dr

Looks delicious Dom!

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Well done, Dom.
You should post up your recipe.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Those look great Dom.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Thanks fellas

Peter, the recipe is from here

I followed it to the letter to get an idea how the flavors come together.
I already made some notes on changes, and will see how well they work.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

:D
I've made that one a number of times and like it a lot!
In general, for a 5 lb. pork recipe, I use 4 pounds of pork shoulder and 1 pound of bacon.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

I thought about adding some bacon, but this particular shoulder had a real thick fat cap on it, so I passed on it.
In the future, I'll likely add it.
Curious, when making this recipe, what kind of wine do you use?
Anything in particular, or whatever's open?

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

I'll use any moderately priced ($6-$9) cab/merlot/zin/syrah. I will open a bottle to drink and cook with.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Dom, one trick you might want to do next time (if you didn't already) is to weigh out each of your spice measurements, especially the salt. Different salts have different size grains, thus different weights tbsp to tbsp. this will allow you tweak the recipe more for your liking next time.

Here's a great calculator for figuring out batch sizes/ratios. http://www.lartigiano.co.uk/Documents/BatchCalc.xls

Nice to grind up all the meat, then do 227-453g (1/2lb to 1lb) batches with different spice levels. Easier to hone in on the recipe you like in smaller batches.

You can stuff if you want, or just wrap in cling film, then poach till cooked thru. Unwrap and fry to get crispy.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Btw Dom, those look damn tasty. :dr

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

:dr:dr

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Thanks for the tip, Bob! :tu

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

I haven't found it to be that critical, so I just use 2-buck chuck cab or merlot.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

So, the first batch was downright awful!
So bad I wouldn't give it away.
Took some time, reworked the recipe, and made a second attempt last weekend.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...037A4A17A0.jpg

Fried some up and made sausage and peppers hero's.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...F8389003EC.jpg

Much, much better, but the flavor was lacking and/or too mild.
Another issue I had was with the texture, it just wasn't right.
I was using the coarse attachment to my grinder.
So I reworked the recipe again, ground half the meat with the fine attachment, the other half coarse, and tried again last night.
I think I'm settled on the recipe, and the texture is better, but not perfect.
There is a medium grind attachment that I can buy for the grinder, but it's out of stock right now. :(
Luckily between the last 2 attempts, I have 20+ pounds of sausage, so I have some time before I need the attachment. :D


Anyways, here's my recipe, until I change it.

10 lbs pork
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayanne pepper
2 teaspoons anise seed
2 teaspoons fennel seed
2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup paprika
1/2 cup Ice water

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Looks good to me Dom.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Looks :dr:dr Dom!

Part of the fun of making sausage, BBQ, etc. is the trial and error (my :2 at least).

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Looks like a winner to me.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Getting ready to try my hand at Bratwurst.
Anybody have a tried and true recipe?
There are lots of options on the web, hard to pick one.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

This site's recipes rock, Dom.
http://www.thespicysausage.com/sausagemakingrecipes.htm
I've made and enjoyed this bratwurst.
http://www.thespicysausage.com/recipes/bratwurst1.htm
There are 5 other bratwurst recipes but the others call for a mix of pork and veall. Yummy, I am sure but veal ain't cheap.

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Oh.... My.... God.... :dr :dr

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

That site is awesome.

I use that very recipe for bratwurst, just with the addition of some mace (1 to 2 tsp).

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Thanks, fellas!
That was the one I liked the best of the six.

Adam, any thoughts on using the recipe with a 50/50 pork/veal mix?

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Dom, This looks downright delicious. Looks great for breakfast!:dr

Re: Homemade Sausage
 

Dom your pic, made me want to go out and make my own. I love food purn

I can't think of any reason not to try it.
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