Bulk vs. Links: A Case for Uncased Sausage

Author: nbarr   |   0 Comments   |   Categories: Kettle Club   |   Tags: • •

The carnivorous controversy continues. Patty or link? Crumble or morsel? On a bun, or free to swim in a sea of al dente noodles? While we adore both, we’re sharing some benefits to liberating ground pork from the confines of the case. Here’s some reasons to let that sausage run wild and free.

Caramelization 

Caramelization is the process of applying heat to sugar thus changing the chemical composition. The reaction unlocks richer, nuttier flavors and textures in your favorite foods. The more surface area your cooking subject has, the more caramelization. This is why some prefer the sticky sweetness of a morning sausage patty to a cased link.

Versatility 

From pizza and pasta, to dips and patties, a crumbly, uncased sausage ensures you’ll get a little delicious heritage pork in every bite. No more skating around those inferior pizza toppings to get to the good stuff.

Calories Lost 

We’re not one to make a “case” for removing delicious fat from heritage pork. But we don’t judge the paper towel blotters either. Some studies have shown that you can cut up to 20 calories per serving just by removing a little excess oil from your dinner plate. Sausage casing seals up the fat inside, which means you won’t get much of a blot from a linked sausage. So blot away, physically fit pork eaters!

We love them both! 

Our opinion? They’re both equally delicious and each has its own shining moments at your dinner table, cookout or breakfast feast. But this month we’ll enjoy the uncased deliciousness of Bulk Sweet Italian.

Sausage of the Month: Bulk Breakfast

Author: nbarr   |   0 Comments   |   Categories: Kettle Club   |   Tags: • • •

We’ve prepared our most delicious and versatile sausage for Kettle Club members this month, bulk breakfast. Heritage ground pork with flavorful hints of mace and sage. Grab the family and gather round the table for a hearty breakfast. Follow these simple and easy instructions for scratch sausage gravy.

Ingredients:
1 lb. Kettle Club Bulk Breakfast Sausage
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 to 4 cups whole milk, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, more to taste
6-8 Biscuits, warmed, for serving

 

Instructions:

  1. Crumble sausage into large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink, stirring frequently.
  2. With wire whisk, stir in flour, salt and pepper. Gradually stir in milk. Cook over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken. Stir often.
  3. Remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve over your favorite biscuit!

Sausage of the Month: Traditional Polish

Author: nbarr   |   0 Comments   |   Categories: Kettle Club   |   Tags: • • •

Our butcher staff has created up a special holiday sausage for Kettle Club members this month, Traditional Polish. Our head of production and Master Butcher Joe Parajecki shares his fondest memories of this classic holiday treat.

I come from a Polish family deep rooted in tradition—especially when it comes to holiday meals. Fresh Polish sausage, sometimes with sauerkraut, sometimes with fresh grated Horseradish, has always been a staple at our holiday table. I remember fondly my grandmother making sausages on the days that would lead up to Christmas, the smell of garlic and marjoram filling the house. The smell would linger on and we would waiting in full anticipation during on Wigila Dinner Christmas Eve (a tradition including foods that come from the four corners of the earth: forest, sea, field, and orchard) but we would have to wait until after Midnight Mass to enjoy it.  Each year I continue this tradition with my family using the time-honored recipe passed down from my grandmother, and I share it this month with you. We’ve prepared fresh polish sausage using my grandma’s recipe for our Kettle Club members this month. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have over the years.

Thanks, Joe!

Sausage of the Month: Door County Cherry Bratwurst

Author: mbearce   |   0 Comments   |   Categories: Kettle Club   |   Tags: • • • •

As Wisconsin as cheese curds and beer, Door County cherry picking is a time-honored tradition. And Kettle Range is excited to incorporate these delectable gems of the peninsula in this month’s Kettle Club shares. Our butchers have prepared a seasonal bratwurst with tart cherries straight from Wisconsin’s cherry mecca.

Door County Cherries

The history of cherries in Door County runs deep. The first European settlers to the peninsula could rely on vegetable crops for sustenance farming but due to the rocky terrain of the landscape, found it challenging to yield anything more than what they needed to get by. The search began for a cash crop that would flourish in the rocky soils of Door County.

In the late 1860’s, a Swiss immigrant named Joseph Zettel arrived on the scene discovering that fruits like apple trees prospered in the area because the shallow soils left only a few feet from the roots to the bedrock. This provided adequate drainage for such fruits that are prone to root rot, a devastating plant disease.

The success of the apple trees attracted two University of Wisconsin horticulturists who began experimenting with other fruits such as plums, strawberries, raspberries and the most famous, cherries, which proved especially efficient at growing in Door County.

Door County cherry production continued to prosper and hit its peak in the 1950s with 700 cherry producers growing nearly 50 million pounds of cherries annually. Today, the Montmorency cherries that grow in Wisconsin account for 90% of all the tart cherries grown statewide.

Like Door County cherry picking season, these brats have a small window of availability. Don’t miss out on these seasonal Wisconsin delicacies in August!

Kettle Club Sausage of the Month: Italian Beef

Author: mbearce   |   0 Comments   |   Categories: Kettle Club   |   Tags: • • • • •

Joe the butcher has created a unique twist on a Chicago delicacy for our Kettle Club members this month. June’s Italian beef sausage has been prepared with mozzarella, fresh basil, oregano, and hot giardiniera. It makes a great sandwich right off the grill, or incorporate the flavor kick to your favorite pasta or pizza recipe.

What is Giardiniera?

Before you begin enjoying June’s distinctively delicious sausage, let’s talk a little about giardiniera. First off, let’s all say it together, “JAR-DIN-AIR-AH.” There, that’s better. Originating in Italy, the word giardiniera translates loosely to “female gardener” or “one who pickles vegetables.” And why not with all its fresh ingredients? Recipes differ, but most variations of the condiment include hot or mild peppers, celery, carrots, cauliflower and olives. Italians used the method of pickling to preserve vegetables for the winter. It is thought that giardiniera was introduced to the United States in Chicago during the late 19th century following a wave of Italian immigration. The fiery condiment quickly became synonymous with Chicago’s famous Italian beef sandwiches and made its way into the hearts and refrigerators of area residents. For years, Chicago chefs and foodies have been perfecting their recipes and pickling techniques to bring giardiniera lovers a more heated version of the Italian original.

So, let’s tip our hats to our neighbors to the south and enjoy some great sausages this month!