When I started making my own turkey sausage, it quickly became one of my breakfast staples. It's so easy and quick to prepare; you can cook it in bulk in the beginning of the week and refrigerate or freeze it until you need it. It's a super-clean alternative to the processed sausage patties that you find in your local supermarket. When you make your own, you know what's in it...can't say the same for the supermarket stuff!!

HOMEMADE TURKEY SAUSAGE PATTIES

Makes about 10 patties (5 servings)

Ingredients:

2 LB Fresh ground turkey (I mix 1 LB ground turkey thigh and 1 LB ground turkey breast, but you can also use all dark meat, which is the juiciest)

4 T chopped fresh sage

1 small apple, chopped (optional)

2 T fennel seeds (whole or freshly ground)

1T Italian Seasoning

1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper

1 T minced garlic

onion powder, sea salt, black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Place ground turkey in a large bowl and add sage and spices.

Place chopped apple into the turkey mixture.

Mix all ingredients well with hands.

Make into 3 oz patties, about 1/4 inch thick. (Wash hands thoroughly after handling turkey!!)

Spray a cast iron skillet with cooking oil and brown patties on both sides for about 2 minutes

Place skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 7-8 minutes (this keeps the sausage very moist)

Remove from oven and serve!