Alsatian Christmas sausage, also known as "Knack" or "Knackwurst", is a traditional Alsatian sausage highly renowned for its distinctive flavor and aroma. This beloved sausage is commonly prepared during the festive Christmas season and forms an integral part of the Alsatian Christmas culinary traditions. Its unique blend of spices, herbs, and meat creates a delectable treat that is sure to tantalize taste buds. Whether you're an experienced cook or a novice in the kitchen, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the necessary information and step-by-step instructions to create an authentic Alsatian Christmas sausage that will delight your family and friends during this joyous holiday season.
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HOMEMADE ITALIAN SAUSAGE
One of my earliest and most vivid food memories was when my uncle Bill would make his famous dried Italian sausage every Christmas Eve. They'd be fried after Midnight Mass and served on bread with roasted red peppers. This fresh version was inspired by those. If you can manage not to eat them right away, letting them dry for a day or two really deepens the flavor, and firms up the texture as well, in true Uncle Billy fashion.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time P1DT9h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cut pork shoulder into cubes. Place in a bowl and refrigerate while preparing the other ingredients.
- Grind garlic with a pinch of salt in a mortar to make a paste. Add fennel, anise, and black pepper. Bruise spices lightly with a pestle to release the flavors. Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, oregano, marjoram, coriander, mustard, allspice, sugar, and a splash of water. Stir to combine.
- Add the spice paste to the pork cubes. Mix thoroughly by hand. Add the remaining salt. Cover and refrigerate until flavors meld, 8 hours to overnight.
- Process the cold pork through a meat grinder on the slowest speed.
- Push a casing onto the stuffing tube of your meat grinder. Feed the sausage meat through the filling tray. Run the meat through the casing on the slowest speed until all the casing is used up. Tie casing at the end into a knot. Pinch and twist the meat to create links if desired.
- Place sausage onto a wire rack set over a sheet pan. Refrigerate uncovered for 24 hours.
- Preheat a charcoal grill for medium heat. Separate the links and grill them until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 194.4 calories, Carbohydrate 4.2 g, Cholesterol 74.4 mg, Fat 10.4 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 20.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 1464.5 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
ALSATIAN CHRISTMAS SAUSAGE
This is a fragrant, delicately flavored sausage ideal for Christmas breakfast, although you will find it so delicious you will be sneaking packages of it out of the freezer for ordinary weekend breakfasts all year long!
Provided by texred1
Categories Pork
Time 5m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Mix ingredients together and stuff into sheep casings or leave in bulk for patties.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 339.1, Fat 23.6, SaturatedFat 8.8, Cholesterol 106.7, Sodium 955.2, Carbohydrate 0.5, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.3, Protein 29.2
ALSATIAN TARTE FLAMBEE
Make and share this Alsatian Tarte Flambee recipe from Food.com.
Provided by littleturtle
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 45m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry to 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut into disks about 3-1/4 to 4 inches in diameter and place on a wax paper-lined baking sheet.
- Leave in freezer until dough is frozen.
- Mix together quark, cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Remove crusts from freezer.
- Poke pastry with a fork.
- Spread cheese mixture equally on each crust.
- Sprinkle with onion and bacon.
- Bake on bottom rack of oven for ten minutes, or until bottoms of pizzas are a dark, golden brown.
- Serve warm.
ALSATIAN PORK AND SAUERKRAUT
This is a French recipe, very easy and a real comfort food. An all in one pot meal! I have gotten people who say they don't like sauerkraut to try this dish. They couldn't believe how good it is and asked for more.
Provided by 4Nancy
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European French
Time 1h45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place the bacon in a large, deep pot, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring to turn pieces occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon pieces on a paper towel-lined plate. With a paper towel, wipe the bacon grease out of the pot but keep as much of the brown bits as possible. Stir in the onion, sauerkraut, brown sugar, and chicken broth, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the potatoes and apple slices.
- Place the juniper berries, peppercorns, cloves, parsley, and bay leaf into a small cheesecloth square, and tie the ends together to make a spice bag (or place the spices into a stainless steel tea ball). Place the spice bag into the pot, and add the pork chops and kielbasa sausage pieces. Add more chicken broth, if needed, to just cover the ingredients. Bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the potatoes are very tender, about 1 hour.
- To serve, use a slotted spoon to remove the sauerkraut, potatoes, and apple slices to the center of a serving platter. Arrange bacon, pork chops, and kielbasa pieces around the outside of the platter.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 765.6 calories, Carbohydrate 51.9 g, Cholesterol 139.1 mg, Fat 41.8 g, Fiber 9.8 g, Protein 44 g, SaturatedFat 14.2 g, Sodium 2024.1 mg, Sugar 16.5 g
ALSATIAN CHOUCROUTE GARNI
Choucroute garni combines the smoky flavors of several sorts of sausage, pork butt, and thick-cut bacon with the pungent perfume of sauerkraut, bay leav es, juniper berries, and caraway seeds.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Pork Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Make a spice bundle: Place spices, bay leaves, and garlic on a square of cheesecloth; tie into bundle with kitchen twine.
- Heat oil in a very large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add bacon, pork butt, and spice bundle. Cover with sauerkraut. Add wine and enough water to come 1 inch below sauerkraut. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and simmer 45 minutes.
- Add potatoes and carrots. Cover; cook until almost tender, about 20 minutes.
- Using a skewer or the tip of a paring knife, poke a few holes into each sausage to prevent them from bursting. Place kielbasa in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, turning often, until browned, about 8 minutes. Put all sausages into the Dutch oven; cover, and cook until heated through, about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausages and vegetables to a plate. Drain sauerkraut, and arrange on a serving platter. Arrange sausages and vegetables on top. Garnish with parsley, and serve with mustards.
Tips:
- Choose high-quality pork: Use pork shoulder or butt for a flavorful and juicy sausage.
- Grind the meat coarsely: This will give the sausage a more rustic texture.
- Use a variety of spices: The traditional Alsatian Christmas sausage includes cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and coriander. Feel free to experiment with other spices to create your own unique blend.
- Soak the casings in water before using them: This will make them more pliable and easier to work with.
- Stuff the sausages loosely: Overstuffed sausages will burst during cooking.
- Smoke the sausages over a low fire: This will give them a delicious smoky flavor.
- Cook the sausages slowly: This will help to ensure that they are cooked evenly throughout.
- Serve the sausages with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes: This is a classic Alsatian Christmas dish.
Conclusion:
Alsatian Christmas sausage is a delicious and festive dish that is perfect for any holiday gathering. With its unique blend of spices and its smoky flavor, this sausage is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table. So if you're looking for a new and exciting way to celebrate the holidays, give this recipe a try.
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