Chicken, Apple, Herb Breakfast Sausage

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup grated Fuji or McIntosh apple
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
• 1 tablespoon chopped sage
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 5 eggs
• Chives, to garnish

Directions

In a large, heavy skillet heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and apples and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the pan and cool. In a large bowl combine the chicken, pork, thyme, sage, salt and pepper. Add the cooled onion mixture and mix well. On a plastic-covered surface, form the mixture into 8 (4-ounce) patties, about 3 inches in diameter each. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a 12-inch skillet over high heat. Add 4 patties to the pan and cook until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and serve hot. Melt the butter in a nonstick saute pan over medium heat. When butter is melted, carefully crack the eggs into the pan. Cook for 4 minutes for sunny side up. Serve eggs with sausage and garnish with chives.