Cheese-Stuffed Homemade Sausages with Poached Eggs and Tasso Cream Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean pork, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 pound lean veal, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 pound pork fat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup minced onions
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Pinch cloves
• 6 ounces Havarti cheese, cut into 6 equal portions
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 baguette, cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds

Poached Eggs:

• 6 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
• Tasso Cream Sauce, recipe follows
• Chopped parsley, garnish

Directions

In a large bowl, combine all the sausage making ingredients. Using a meat grinder, or in batches in a food processor, grind the mixture together. Form into 12 equal portions, flattening slightly into patties, to measure about 3 inches in diameter. Place a piece of cheese on top of 6 of the patties and top with the remaining patties, pinching the meat together to seal the cheese completely.

Preheat a grill. In a large skillet or saute pan, heat 1/4-inch of oil over medium-high heat. Add the stuffed sausage patties and cook until brown on both sides and the meat is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain on paper towels.

Brush the sliced bread with some vegetable oil. Place the bread on the grill and cook until toasted with grill marks. Remove and set aside.

For the Poached Eggs: Pour cold water into a 10-inch saute pan to a depth of about 2 inches. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat so that the surface of the water barely shimmers. Add the vinegar. Break 4 of the eggs into individual saucers, then gently slide them out one at a time into the water and, with a large spoon, lift the white over the yolk. Repeat the lifting once or twice to completely enclose each yolk. Poach until the whites are set and the yolks feel soft when touched gently, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and either serve immediately, or place in a shallow pan or large bowl of cold water. Repeat with the remaining eggs, adding more water as needed to keep the depth at 2 inches, and bringing the water to a simmer before adding the eggs.

To serve, place 1 grilled bread round on 6 plates. Top with 1 sausage patty and 1 poached egg. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of sauce over each egg and garnish with the chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Tasso Cream Sauce:

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 pound tasso, cut into small dice
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter

In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the tasso and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the cream and bring to a boil. Lower the heat slightly and simmer until reduced by half, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the green onions, hot sauce, lemon juice, and salt. Add the butter and cook, stirring, until incorporated and thick. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning, to taste.