SUMMER SAUSAGE

I don’t know how this summer sausage actually got its name.  I do love to eat it for a snack in the summer. It’s a delicious snack served with a smoky cheese and crackers. But I usually bake it in the cooler winter months and freeze it so we can enjoy it when we’re in the mood or need a tasty appetizer to share with company. Fresh from the oven, this sausage is really delicious.  I’m thinking that if these deer keep plumping themselves up on the neighbors’ lovely landscaping, they will make tasty venison. Wonder if that would be good instead of beef in this recipe? ;-)
　
SUMMER SAUSAGE

2 lbs. Ground beef
1/8 tsp. Garlic powder
1/8 tsp. Onion powder
1/8 tsp. Cayenne pepper
1 Tbl. liquid smoke
3 Tbl. Tender Quick salt
1 cup water
1 tsp. pepper corns (I usually substitute 1/2 tsp ground pepper because I don't like to bite a pepper corn)
1 tsp. mustard seeds

Mix well. First I stir all this with a wooden spoon. Then, wearing rubber gloves (for easy clean up), I’ll reach in and mix it some more. This is an especially good way to make sure it’s thoroughly mixed if I’ve multiplied the recipe (like when I make it with 6 pounds of ground beef). Divide the meat and shape into 2-inch rolls (about one pound each). A two-inch round is about the right dimension to cover a Ritz cracker. When I make mine, I form the sausage to fit the width of my pan and baking rack. It's not critical that each sausage is one pound.  But if you make it into three or four inches around it may take longer to bake thoroughly. Wrap in aluminum foil (shiny side in). Refrigerate 24-48 hours. Using a knife, cut ½" slits about every two inches along the bottom of rolls. Place on rack over pan. Bake at 350 for 1 ¼ hours.

Let me know if you enjoy this recipe or if you try it with venison. I don't know if I'd be able to shoot Bambi even if I got a deer tag and it was legal to hunt in my back yard.   As always, I love to share what I make, bake, knit, can, or cook. If I can ship something from Peg's Pantry, I'd be happy to send it your way - if you make me an offer I can't refuse of course! Or you can come get some next time you visit!

Enjoy!!