Italian Fennel Beef Sausage

On the Autoimmune Protocol, my standard breakfast consists of sausage, some sauerkraut, spinach or other veggies, and a bit of fruit, usually berries.  I avoid monotony by changing up the type of sausage and the fruit and veggies on the side.  I love pastured pork sausage, (both homemade and the sausage my local farmer makes) but wanted to start experimenting with grass-fed beef or bison sausage since the fats in grass-fed beef and bison are better than those in pastured-pork (pork are omnivores and even pastured pork are often supplemented with some grain).  I also find grass-fed beef easier to buy on sale than pastured pork and budget is a constant motivator for me!

I decided to try fennel seasoning for this beef sausage because it is a standard flavor for game meat sausages and grass-fed beef does have a bit of a gamey flavor.  I loved it and it is now my favorite breakfast (note that I love fennel, anise and licorice flavorings in general).  I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Ground Beef or Ground Bison
• 1 tsp Fennel Seed
• ¾ tsp Anise Seed
• ½ tsp Paprika
• ¼ tsp Salt, to taste
• 1-2 Tbsp Tallow (or other good cooking fat like extra virgin coconut oil)

1.    Grind fennel seed and anise seed in a Coffee Grinder, Spice Grinder (I use the small cup of my Magic Bullet) or mortar and pestle.
2.    Mix spices and ground beef thoroughly (I find it easiest to just use my hands).  Form sausage into 3 or 4 patties (alternatively, you could buy Sausage Casings and stuff with the sausage stuffer attachment of your Meat Grinder)
3.    Heat tallow in a skillet over medium-high heat.
4.    Cook sausage patties for 8-10 minutes on the first side.  Flip and cook for another 7-8 minute on the second side, until fully cooked.
5.    Enjoy!