Ingredients
2 pounds ground chuck (may also use mix of pork and beef)
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon crushed fennel seed*
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (**see note below!)
1/2 teaspoon crushed anise seed*
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup cold water or red wine
Instructions
1. Finely powder herbs, spices and salt in mortar or in blender. Add water or wine and blend. Add mixture to ground meat and mix thoroughly, using a bread kneading mixing style. When you think you've mixed it thoroughly, continue mixing and kneading for at least five more minutes by the clock.
2. If you have a sausage stuffer, follow directions for stuffing the casings. If you don't, fear not! Making un-stuffed sausage logs is easy. After the meat and seasonings have been blended according to the recipe, roll the meat into a log about 1-1/4 inch thick. Wrap the log tightly in foil and twist the ends closed.
3. Place sausages on a baking rack and cook slow in a 200 degree oven for 2 hours or until the internal temperature of the sausage reaches 160 degrees. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 2 days to enhance the flavor. Cooked sausage should be used within one week. It may also be frozen for up to three months.
4. Note: this pepperoni will not have the bright red color we're accustomed to associating with commercial pepperoni. But if you use a very sharp knife, or a mandolen, you can get really thin slices that are just perfect for SCD pizza or snacking. You can also make this recipe into thinner snacking sticks.
