Turkey Weisswurst (White German-Style Sausage With Lemon, Nutmeg, and Parsley)

Note: A scale with gram measurements must be used for this recipe.

Special equipment: Scale with gram measurement, food processor, thermometer, pastry bag or sausage stuffer

Ingredients

serves Makes about 1 kilograms (2.3 pounds) sausage, serving 4, active time 1 1/2 hours, total time 1 day

• 600 grams lean turkey meat (such as tenderloins or breast), trimmed of connective tissue, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 15 grams kosher salt
• 320 grams salted pork back fat
• 75 grams finely diced yellow onion
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest from 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• Hog casing, soaked and rinsed
• 30 grams crushed ice
• 2 tablespoons butter (if browning in skillet)
• Whole grain or sweet German mustard for serving

Procedures

1. Combine turkey and salt in a large bowl and toss until evenly coated. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate at least 1 night and up to 2 days. Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add salt pork and onion and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, and place in freezer until ready to use.
   
2. Combine turkey, lemon zest, ginger, white pepper, parsley, and nutmeg in the bowl of a food processor. Process until a smooth paste is formed, about 30 seconds, stopping to check temperature and scrape down sides every 10 seconds. If mixture rises above 50°F, place entire work bowl of food processor in freezer for 10 minutes before continuing.
   
3. Add crushed ice to food processor and process until ice chunks are gone, about 30 seconds. With machine running, slowly add frozen fat and onions, stopping every 15 seconds to scrape down sides and check temperature. If mixture rises above 50°F, place entire work bowl of food processor in freezer for 10 minutes before continuing. Process until mixture is completely smooth. Cook a small amount of mixture in a skillet or in the microwave to taste for seasoning and adjust according to taste.
   
4. Fill pastry bag fitted with a smooth round tip or a sausage stuffer with mixture, being careful to incorporate as little air as possible. Feed hog casings over tip and tie off the end. Fill casings slowly and steadily, tying or twisting off links as you go if desired. Chill sausages at least 1 hour and up to overnight before cooking.
   
5. To cook, bring 2 quarts of water to a simmer in a medium pot and remove from heat. Add sausages, cover, and let cook for 20 minutes. Serve as-is with mustard, or place in freezer for 10 minutes. Remove sausages from freezer and melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat until foaming subsides. Add sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes. Serve with mustard.

Roasted Cauliflower Soup With Bacon and Parsley Oil

This creamy, nutty-tasting soup gets an extra punch of flavor from crumbled bacon and bright parsley oil.

Special equipment: Blender or hand blender

Ingredients

serves Serves 6 to 8, active time 25 minutes, total time 50 minutes

• 2 medium heads cauliflower, separated into large florets
• 1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 large white or yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 6 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock
• 1/4 cup half and half
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Procedures

1. Adjust oven racks to middle positions and preheat oven to 400°F. Toss cauliflower with 4 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Divide between 2 rimmed baking sheets and roast, stirring occasionally, until deeply browned and tender, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven.
   
2. Meanwhile, lay bacon slices in a cold cast-iron skillet, then set over medium heat. Cook, flipping once, until browned and crispy, about 6 minutes. Drain bacon on a paper towel, then chop or crumble into bite-sized pieces.
   
3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven set over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent but not browned, about 6 minutes. Add roasted cauliflower and stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
   
4. Let soup cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Add half and half and use a hand blender to blend soup until smooth. Alternatively, blend soup in a blender in two batches. Season to taste with more salt and pepper. Keep soup warm.
   
5. Combine remaining 1/2 cup olive oil and parsley in blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Pass oil through a fine-meshed sieve.
   
6. To serve, ladle soup into bowls, garnish with parsley oil, and sprinkle with chopped bacon. Serve immediately.