Homemade Italian Sausage

This is a great substitute for buying Italian sausage.  

The big plus here is that you can choose the meat by the percent fat you like or substitute ground chicken or turkey.  You could also make Italian burgers with this recipe!

The seasoning recipe makes enough for more than one pound of meat.  Just put the rest in an airtight container to use another time.

Ingredients:

-2 tbsp fennel

-2 tbsp dried minced garlic

-1 tbsp black ground pepper

-1 tbsp dried oregano

-1 tbsp dried basil

-ground meat (pork, chicken, turkey or beef) {I used beef here}

Process:

1. Add fennel to mortar or spice/coffee mill.

 2. Add garlic.

I used ground garlic this time, because
I didn't have any dried minced garlic in the house.

 3. Add the pepper.

4. Add the oregano.

 5. Add the basil.

 6. Crush everything together with the pestle.

 7. Crush until well blended.

 8. Add 2-4 tsp to 1 pound of ground meat.  {Put the rest of the seasoning in an airtight container for later use.}

 9. Mix well to combine all ingredients.

10. Put the mixed meat in an airtight container and in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to let the flavors distribute.

11. Use as you like.  Enjoy!