As some of you may know, we used a new processor this last time with our piggies. We wanted to have the option of getting sausage links. Yes, of course, for our customers but also because we love brats in our family and couldn't wait to try some from our own pork!
In my excitement (and general confusion of using a new processor) I got a bit confused while filling out the cut sheet. I get a little flustered sometimes and forget to do simple things like, you know, ask questions. *sigh* Anyway, somehow I understood that we would be getting the flavors I chose in the sausage links only and then the ground sausage would be traditional breakfast sausage. To my surprise, we picked up our pork last week and I discovered that this was not the case. Apparently, whatever flavors I chose (in this case, bratwurst, polish sausage, italian sweet and italian sweet (hot) ) also were used on the ground pork. I was rather disappointed with myself for my oversight and felt pretty ridiculous having NOT clarified this when I was filling out the cut sheet. I had terrible images of no one wanting to buy our pork simply because I had messed this up and the flavors I selected being completely unbearable. (Have I mentioned I'm a worrier?)
Time to end all my worry. I grabbed a package of ground bratwurst (To me, this seems incredibly strange) and some potatoes and made a breakfast casserole. Well...Let me tell you, that stuff was delicious. Seriously one of the best casseroles I've made! Usually this recipe calls for chicken but I substituted the sausage instead because how can you possibly go wrong with sausage, potatoes and cheese? (Topped with green onions and bacon crumbles). The answer is, you can't. Nope. Can't go wrong.
The ground bratwurst, to me, simply tasted like any other mild ground sausage. I was pleasantly surprised to taste something familiar rather than something unusual. Just goes to show you, sometimes you "screw up" but it works out for the best. I haven't tried it yet, but I am guessing that italian sweet and hot would be ever so yummy as meatballs or in a meat marinara sauce. Oh my. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
-JoAnna