Maple Breakfast Sausage

Homemade breakfast sausage is not something that normally crosses my mind to make, but with the availability various ground meats provided at the grocery store it’s pretty easy. Using ground turkey, these made a healthier breakfast sausage option. They are prepared similar to burger patties, just a little smaller and then pan fried. You can even save some in the freezer for later. But I decided to take it a step further and assemble them into sandwiches using buttermilk biscuits, eggs, and cheddar cheese, and then frozen for later. But they would also be great in breakfast quesadillas.

MAPLE BREAKFAST SAUSAGE

Serves 8

Ingredients:

1 egg

2 Tbsp quick-cooking oats

1-1/2 tsp maple syrup

2 Tbsp chopped fresh sage (or 1/2 tsp dried rubbed sage)

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme (or 1/4 tsp dried)

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1/4 tsp grated nutmeg

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp allspice

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1 lb ground turkey (93 percent lean)

2 tsp olive oil

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:

1. In a bowl, lightly beat egg with oats, syrup and seasonings. Mix in turkey until combined. (If you’re making these a day ahead, refrigerate turkey mixture until you are ready to cook.) Form into 8 patties, each about 3/4-inch thick.
2. In a large nonstick pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook patties until well browned on both sides and no longer pink in the middle, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.
3. Serve on halved biscuits. I like mine with eggs and cheese!