Chef John's Breakfast Sausage Patties

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 pound coarsely ground lamb shoulder
• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, or more to taste - lightly crushed
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried italian herb seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 8 hrs 25 mins


• place lamb, fennel seeds, orange zest, salt, black pepper, italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg into a bowl and stir very lightly with a fork to combine. do not overmix. cover and refrigerate overnight.
• check seasonings before using: shape about 2 teaspoons sausage into a small patty and fry until brown in a skillet over medium heat. let cool 1 to 2 minutes and taste for seasoning.
• cover a cutting board with plastic wrap. divide sausage into 6 equal pieces, roll into a balls, and wrap each ball with plastic wrap. press flat into patties and discard plastic.
• place a heavy skillet, such as a cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat. cook patties in hot skillet until meat is no longer pink in the center and the sausage is browned, about 3 minutes per side. serve immediately.