SMOTHERED PORK SAUSAGE IN APPLE CIDER

Prep Time: 1 Hour
Yields: 6 Servings

Comment:
Apple trees could be found in many Louisiana plantation gardens. The fruit was quickly put to use by all the cultures that settled the area. This apple-flavored sausage is a favorite dish of the Germans.

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh pork sausage
1 cup apple cider
½ cup chicken stock
1 cup diced onions
½ cup diced celery
½ cup diced red bell peppers
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup diced apples
½ cup sliced green onions
¼ cup chopped parsley
salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Louisiana hot sauce to taste

Method:
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a cast iron skillet, place sausage and prick with a fork. Add stock. Cover skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning sausage occasionally until fat is rendered. Once browned, remove sausage and pour all but ¼ cup drippings from skillet. Add onions, celery, bell peppers, minced garlic and apples. Sauté 3–5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted. Return sausage to skillet and add cider, green onions and parsley. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Cover, place in oven and bake 30–45 minutes.