Maple Apple Turkey Sausage

01 Apr Maple Apple Turkey Sausage

Getting protein at breakfast is really important to help speed up your metabolism, keep you energized and prevent over eating all day long.  If you’ve ever just had a bowl of cereal or toast in the morning and you’re starving, cranky and craving sugar by 2 in the afternoon, then you know what I’m talking about. I personally could eat eggs every morning (I have for the past 12 years!!).  But I get that everyone is not quite as boring as me in the morning. So if you need a change from eggs, try this sweet and savory turkey sausage. It’s lean, clean and packed full of apple and herbs with just a touch of real maple syrup. I like to serve these sausages for breakfast or mid-morning with fruit (you need some carbs with breakfast too)! Or serve for dinner wrapped in lettuce leaves with a side of fruit and an easy sauce of low fat Greek yogurt, a touch of honey and grainy mustard.

Maple Apple Turkey Sausage

Makes about 12ish little patties. Serving size – base it on your hunger (a couple patties + a little fruit = good)

INGREDIENTS

• Your favorite cooking spray
• 1 1/2 large apples or two small apples, peeled and chopped very small
• 1 1/2 shallots, minced
• 20 fresh sage leaves, chopped (about 2 heaping tablespoons)
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped
• 1 lb. 93% lean ground turkey (don’t go any leaner on the turkey)
• 2 heaping tablespoons pure, all natural maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• Few pinches paprika
• Few dashes nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat large nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Coat with cooking spray. Let pan heat up for another moment or two.
2. Sauté shallot and apple until soft (about 5 minutes). Add thyme and fresh sage and sauté for about two minutes or until fragrant.
3. Scrape the sautéed apple and shallot into a medium size bowl. Remove pan from heat and wipe out pan with a paper towel. Set aside. Once apple and shallot mixture is cooled, add ground turkey to bowl.
4. Add maple syrup, salt, paprika, and nutmeg. Combine gently with your hands being careful not to over-mix (the mixture will be really wet). Shape into mini patties and cook until lightly golden brown on each side, making sure not to over- cook or over-crowd the pan (cook in two batches). Enjoy!

SO, WHAT’S THE NUTRITION BALANCE?

This recipe has an awesome balance of protein and fat.  Add a carbohydrate on the side to stabilize your blood sugar levels and help you to burn fat and boost your metabolism.