Cumberland sausages are a traditional British recipe, known for their flavorful blend of herbs and spices. Here’s a basic recipe for making Cumberland sausages at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 kg (2.2 lbs) pork shoulder, finely minced
- 100g (3.5 oz) pork fat, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried sage
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground mace
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Natural sausage casings
Instructions:
- Prepare the Casings:
- Soak the natural sausage casings in cold water according to the package instructions to soften them. Rinse thoroughly to remove any salt.
- Mix the Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced pork shoulder, minced pork fat, salt, black pepper, sage, thyme, parsley, nutmeg, mace, ginger, coriander, white pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Stuff the Sausages:
- Fit a sausage stuffer with the appropriate-sized sausage stuffing tube. Slide the prepared casing onto the tube, leaving a few inches of overhang.
- Fill the sausage stuffer with the sausage mixture. Slowly and carefully, push the mixture through the stuffer into the casing, allowing the casing to fill evenly without air bubbles. Leave a little space at the end to tie off.
- Twist and Link:
- Once the casing is filled, twist the sausage into links, typically about 4-5 inches long. Twist in one direction, then twist in the opposite direction between each link to separate them. Alternatively, leave them as one long coil if preferred.
- Rest and Refrigerate:
- Allow the sausages to rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld and the casing to set.
- Cooking:
- Cumberland sausages can be grilled, pan-fried, baked, or cooked on a barbecue. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Serve:
- Once cooked, serve your homemade Cumberland sausages hot with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Cumberland sausages! Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences, and feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor to your liking.
