maple

Sault Ste Marie Hot & Sweet Breakfast Sausage

Nick, my husband’s Canadian coworker, is rapidly becoming a favorite and preferred contributor to Sadie’s Nest. I’ve told you before about the great support I receive from my husband’s colleagues. It’s awesome. This is the second recipe Nick has passed along. (The first is a bread recipe which I have yet to post… Some of you know my mental angst with my bread making skills.) Not only did he give step-by-step instructions for the sausage, but he sent pictures! And btw, it’s really delicious. I love this simple spicy and sweet breakfast sausage, but not nearly as much as I love Nick’s description, “Enjoy with a loved one. Goes with anything: coffee, red wine, white wine, gin and tonic, beer, eggs, homefries, can also have for breakfast, lunch, supper, snack.” How can I beat that? Brilliant. Thank you Nick!

3.3 lbs (1.5 KG) hot italian sausage
1/4 cup Fennel
2/3 cup Maple Syrup
Remove sausage from wrapping. (I used a knife… Nick used scissors… Whatever works for you!)

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Add fennel (adjust amount as you like)

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Add syrup.

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Mix by hand.

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Make a ball about size of a baseball. (I laughed really hard at this instruction.)

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Put 3 in a large frypan at med heat.

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Cook for 1 min, flip, flatten with spatula for faster cooking.

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Cook for 5 minutes, flip and cook for 5 minutes more.

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Move to a plate and let sit for a few minutes.

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Enjoy with a loved one. Goes with anything: coffee, red wine, white wine, gin and tonic, beer, eggs, homefries, can also have for breakfast, lunch, supper, snack… I enjoyed mine with a large slice of raw milk organic cheddar and a biscuit. It was stellar.

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Thanks again Nick!

Maple Pecan Pie

I love pecan pie. It’s sweet and sticky, nutty and buttery. My grandma used to make one, in which she would over-bake until it was hard but still chewy and tasted like candy. It’s the only dessert I remember her making. I wish I knew how to replicate that pie! However, years of practice has left me with this family favorite. And I have tasted and made A LOT of pecan pies. In fact, one time I even made about 5 or 6 and had a taste off for family and friends! This was the clear winner. I love that it incorporates the maple syrup in the flavor! It’s honestly one of the most simple pies to make. From my table to yours, I hope you enjoy!

As organic as possible:

2 Eggs

1/2 cup Sugar

1/4 cup Brown sugar

3/4 cup Maple syrup

1/4 cup light Corn syrup

3 Tbsp Butter, melted

1/2 tsp Vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups Pecan halves

1 unbaked pie crust (I use Martha Stewart’s Paté Brisée)

Preheat the oven to 375º.

If making your own pie crust, place the dough into pie plate. I reserve a little left over dough to press out Maple leaves, for the “Maple” Pecan pie.

In a large mixing bowl whisk eggs and sugars until creamy. Add syrups, butter, vanilla, salt and mix. Add pecans and stir until incorporated. Pour into pie shell and bake 30 minutes. I use the remnant from the melted butter dish (from the pie filling) to lightly coat the top of the maple leaves. Quickly, place the dough maple leaves in any artistic formation you would like on top of the pie and continue to bake 15-20 minutes, until the center of the pie is set when slightly shaken (not completely unmoving, but not liquid-y). Pie will continue to set while it cools. Allow to cool and set before serving. (It’s a great recipe to make a day ahead!)

Tip: It making the pie ahead of time, do not cover with plastic wrap, it can make it “soggy.” Instead use wax paper or aluminum foil.