Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon evoo -- extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 1/4 pounds bulk Italian sweet sausage meat
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage, 4 or 5 sprigs, slivered
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, eyeball it
- 1 cup apricot all-fruit spread or, apricot preserves
- 1/2 cup spicy brown mustard
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
Directions
Preheat a small pot over medium heat and the oven to 425 degrees F.
To the pot, add oil and onion. Saute the onion for 1 minute.
In a mixing bowl, combine sweet sausage and chopped sage.
Next, add balsamic vinegar to onion and reduce by half, 1 minute. Remove vinegar from heat and combine with apricot all-fruit spread or preserves and spicy mustard. Stir until mustard is fully incorporated. Dip will be glossy and brown in color.
Add 2 tablespoonfuls of apricot dip to bulk sausage and mix. Form meat into bite size nuggets, coat in bread crumbs then place on nonstick cookie sheet. Recipe will make 20 to 24 pieces. Bake 15 to 17 minutes, until evenly browned, turning occasionally. Drain, then serve with party picks for dipping with remaining balsamic apricot mustard dip.
Suggested beverages:
- Italian beer (Moretti, Peroni) and wines (chianti classico, primitivo, nero d'avola)
- San Pelligrino water and sliced citrus fruit
1 Video | Photo: Sage Sausage Bites with Balsamic Apricot Dip Recipe

















Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 63 reviews
By Roadpilot
Minneapolis, MN
on August 14, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Easy to follow recipie and simple procedures - the sauce volume was excessive, and too sweet for my taste, and some guests informed me of spiked glucose readings the next day. I'd cut back on the preserves or balance with additional apple cider vinegar (leaving the balsamic at its original measure. All in all, the sauce was very complimentary in flavor and texture. The sausage balls were flavorfull as well, but hard to keep together. I ended up mixing the crumbling sausage balls with the sauce, and serving in lettuce wraps. No guest complaints on presentation or taste.
By HotAppleC
Fort Collins, CO
on June 19, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Yummy and easy. Plus, a good way to use up sage.
By harperoni
Pennsylvania
on May 08, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
The sauce deserves 5 stars but the "bites," just 3, so i gave it 4 stars. My company ate a lot of them, but I'm much more critical.
You can get by with half the recipe of sauce, but then you wouldnt have the extra for chicken in the week.
Problem is that the bites are baked so they dont get pretty unless rorated several times while baking. So, it takes longer than advertised and requires that you watch and shuffle. It's not a big deal unless you want each side to look pretty and have a caramelized crust.
BUT, the overall dish is yummy and I'd make them again and again.
Trying the sauce on chicken tonight.
Read all 63 reviews