Question on Pasta Rustica

[Ann Sanders]

Do you think Emeril's Chicken and Apple sausage would be okay in the Pasta Rustica??? Or could you just use ground Chicken ??? I don't think I can find Chicken Sausage around here. Or what woud be a good substitute??

[Robyn1007]

Hi Ann,

I wouldn't use ground chicken, it wouldn't add any of the spices of sausage. You might look for a turkey sausage (usually with other turkey products, I just got some by Jennie O) or use any other basic sausage. I think the apple might be odd in the pasta though I don't know the recipe so I can't say for sure.

Robyn

[Char Finamore]

I find more and more places are now carrying a variety of chicken sausages. Most grocery stores around here carry Adells.(I think that is how it is spelled) They have a great chcken and apple and also a sundried tomato one I like. Check your grocery store in the packaged sausage area. Trader Joes carry some good ones too. They are worth hunting for!

[Ann Sanders]

Thanks Char and Robin. I guess I will have to let my fingers do the walking in the yellow pages, and start calling around to different grocery store for these products. So would an Italian turkey sausage work as well??I think I have seen this in our stores.

[Robyn1007]

That is what I would use, but again, I don't know the exact recipe so I'm not sure.

[lorilei]

Using ground chicken might make the dish a little too plain -- but what you might consider is seasoning the ground chicken as if you were making sausage and then using it in the dish.

If you don't have a recipe for sausage seasoning, Penzey's sells some great blends.

We've found that it's much cheaper to "make our own" chicken/turkey sausage for recipes like this than to pay $4-5 for a package of links in the store. We love some of the premade sausages, but I generally use them more for sandwiches (and to eat plain) than in recipes.

[Ann Sanders]

Good idea Lorilei, I had not thought of seasoning ground chicken for sausage. I do believe that I have a recipe to make turkey sausage, or maybe its breakfast sausage. I will have to dig it out.