Not all sausage is created equal. In fact, sausage doesn’t even have to be made of meat. Seafood sausage is a succulent alternative to the usual high-fat, high-calorie pork or beef sausage. Lighter in texture and flavor, seafood sausage is the perfect summer grill option when you want something besides meat. Never had seafood sausage? No problem, here are a few tips for making your own seafood sausage and three healthy seafood sausage recipes.
1. Choose your favorite seafood
Any type of seafood can be used for seafood sausage, and you can even combine a few different types of fish together. Fattier fish, such as salmon and tuna, tend to work better, but halibut, flounder, scallops, shrimp, lobster and even crab will render delicious results.
2. Consider casing — or not
Casing, the thin layer of material that holds sausage together, is not necessary, especially if you are trying to keep your sausage meat-free (casings are traditionally made from pork and sheep, though synthetic casings are becoming increasingly more available). You can use casing if you want a more traditional looking sausage or you can opt for a looser patty-like sausage. Parchment paper can also be used to form your seafood sausage if you don’t want to use casing but still want a traditional look.
3. Form your sausage
Be sure your sausage ingredients are finely chopped (a food processor will save you chopping time). If you choose to use casing, make sure you have a pastry bag or a meat grinder with a funnel attachment specifically made to stuff sausage into casing. Don’t overstuff casing and leave a couple of inches free at the ends so you can tie the casing. If you aren’t using casing, simply form your seafood sausage mixture into patties or your preferred shape.
4. Take care when cooking
Seafood sausage can be cooked the same way as regular pork or beef sausage. Grilled is a good choice for the summer, but seafood sausage can also be cooked in a slow cooker, boiled, broiled, or pan-cooked. Seafood sausage is a little more delicate than regular sausage so, if your sausage isn’t in casing, cook it carefully because it can easily fall apart.
5. Serve creatively
Seafood sausage may not be your first choice for a morning meal, but it can be a unique addition for a summer brunch. You can serve seafood sausage in a sandwich or hot dog bun topped with tartar sauce. You can also partner it with pasta and a light creamy sauce, or simply serve it hot right off the grill alongside your other grilled goodies. Just be creative — once you taste sausage from the deep blue sea, you’ll surely find many ways to serve it.
Next up…Healthy seafood sausage recipes
Healthy seafood sausage recipes
Flounder and Shrimp Seafood Sausage
Makes 6 servingsIngredients:
1 pound boneless flounder fillets
1/2 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
4 egg whites
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons cumin
Pinch salt and pepper
5 feet of casing, rinsedDirections:
1. Combine fish, shrimp and cilantro in a food processor or meat grinder if available. Pulse until mixture is ground.2. Combine ground seafood mixture, egg whites, lemon juice, cumin, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix until well combined and mixture is moist.3. Using a pastry bag or the funnel attachment of a meat grinder, begin filling casing with seafood mixture, making sure not to overstuff and leaving a few inches of empty casing at both ends. Twist casing every few inches to make individual links if desired. Tie both ends well and poke a few holes in sausage to allow for air to release while cooking.4. Heat a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Place sausage in pot and cover with a lid. Cook for 10 minutes over medium-low heat. Shut heat off and let sausage continue to cook for another 10 minutes with the lid on. Remove sausage and serve.
Lobster and Scallop Seafood Sausage
Makes 6 servingsIngredients:
1/2 pound scallops, patted dry
1/2 pound peeled and cleaned lobster
2 egg whites
2 cups heavy cream
Pinch salt and pepper
2 teaspoons snipped chives
1 tablespoon tarragon leavesDirections:
1. Combine scallops and lobster in a food processor. Pulse until mixture is ground. Add egg whites and pulse, then add cream and continue pulsing until combined.2. Season seafood mixture with salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in chives and tarragon.3. Using a pastry bag, pipe seafood mixture onto a large flat piece of plastic wrap in a long log. Roll plastic wrap up and shape into a long log and twist to form 2 or 3 links.4. Heat a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Place sausage in pot and cover with a lid. Cook for 10 minutes over medium-low heat. Shut heat off and allow sausage to continue cooking for 10 minutes with the lid on. Remove sausage from pot, unroll from plastic wrap, and serve.
Salmon Sausage Patties
Makes 6 servingsIngredients:
2 pounds boneless salmon fillets
2 cups water
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons white wine
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 leeks, rinsed and minced
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
Pinch ground nutmeg
Pinch cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper, to tasteDirections:
1. Combine salmon, water and 2 cups wine in a pot over medium heat. Poach until salmon is just cooked through. Cool and flake.2. Combine melted butter and leeks in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are softened. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for a few more minutes. Take pan off of heat and mix in dill and breadcrumbs. Set aside.3. Add salmon to a food processor with egg whites, 2 tablespoons wine, lemon juice and cream. Pulse until smooth then add in tarragon, nutmeg, cayenne, and salt and pepper.4. Spoon mixture into a large bowl and stir in the leek mixture. Begin forming salmon mixture into round patties and place on a piece of plastic wrap. Chill patties until firm.5. Preheat oiled grill to low heat and place patties on grill. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from grill and serve.
More summer seafood recipes
Summer seafood recipes
5 Fish recipes featuring trout
Healthy halibut recipes
Salmon with Cilantro Pesto
Tilapia Salad
