Mastering the Art of Cooking Conecuh Sausage in the Microwave

Conecuh sausage is a staple of Southern cuisine. Known for its distinctive spicy flavor, it’s perfect for everything from breakfast tacos to gumbo. But who has time to pan fry or grill sausage when you’re rushing to get out the door in the morning? That’s where the microwave comes in handy!

With just a few simple steps, you can cook Conecuh sausage in the microwave for a quick, easy and tasty breakfast or meal anytime. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through the ins and outs of microwave cooking this signature sausage to crispy, juicy perfection every time.

Benefits of Microwave Cooking

Let’s start with a look at why microwave cooking is an excellent option for Conecuh sausage specifically

• Speed – Microwaves cook food incredibly fast You can have fully cooked sausages in just 2-3 minutes,

• Convenience – No pans to heat up and wash. Just pop your sausage in the microwave and you’re done.

• Easy cleanup – Microwave cooking contains messes. Unlike pan frying, there’s no splatter to clean up afterwards.

• Versatility – You can cook Conecuh sausage fully or just partially in the microwave before finishing another way.

• Moistness – Microwaves don’t dry out sausage like other high heat methods. The result is moist, juicy sausage.

For busy mornings or quick meals, microwave cooking is the perfect fast and easy sausage solution.

Preparing the Sausages

Proper prep is key to even cooking and great flavor. Here are a few tips:

• Remove sausage from casing if needed. Casing can toughen in the microwave.

• Separate linked sausages into individual pieces. They’ll cook more evenly.

• Prick sausages several times with a fork. This prevents splitting and bursting.

• Place sausages on a microwave-safe plate. Leave a bit of space between them.

• For less mess, lay sausages on a paper towel. It will soak up extra grease.

• Lightly brush or spray sausages with oil or cooking spray. This prevents drying out.

Taking just a minute upfront to prep your sausage ensures the best results.

Choosing Cookware

The right microwave-safe cookware ensures fast, even cooking. Consider these options:

• Glass baking dish – Allows you to cook several sausages at once.

• Ceramic plate – Retains heat well for crisping the sausages.

• Paper plate – Prevents sticking and contains excess grease.

• Bacon tray – The grooves allow grease to drain away from the sausage.

• Microwave sausage cooker – Specialty cookers available just for sausages.

Avoid any cookware with metal, which can damage the microwave. Opt for microwave-safe glass, ceramic or paper products.

Perfect Microwave Power Setting

One key to great results is choosing the right microwave power level. Here’s a quick guide:

• 50% power – Gives the most even, gentle cooking for plump, juicy sausage.

• 30% power – For very slow, delicate cooking if sausages are prone to bursting.

• 70% power – Quick cooking but with a risk of drying out and unevenness.

• 100% power – Very fast but almost guaranteed to dry out and overcook sausage.

For most regular size sausages, 50% power is ideal. Adjust as needed based on your microwave wattage and the thickness of your particular sausage.

Step-By-Step Cooking Method

Now, let’s walk through precisely how to cook Conecuh sausage in the microwave:

1. Prepare sausages and place on microwave-safe dish as directed.

2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. This retains moisture.

3. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute. Rotating the dish halfway through.

4. Carefully flip sausages. Microwave 1 more minute on 50% power.

5. Check internal temperature using a meat thermometer. Goal is 160°F for safety.

6. If needed, continue cooking at 30 second intervals on 50% power until fully cooked.

7. Let sausages rest 1-2 minutes before serving. This allows heat to fully distribute.

The sausage is ready to enjoy! With this process, you’ll have perfect results every time.

Draining Excess Grease

One downside of microwave cooking is excess grease. Here are some tips for draining:

• Place sausages on a paper towel lined plate. The towel will absorb grease.

• Cook sausages on a microwave bacon tray. The grooves collect grease away from the food.

• Transfer cooked sausages to a paper towel lined plate to rest. This will absorb additional grease.

• Blot cooked sausages with additional paper towels before serving.

Properly draining excess grease removes a good amount of fat and calories for a healthier final product.

Maintaining Crispness

Unlike pan frying, microwave cooking won’t crisp up your sausages. But there are a few tricks to get a bit of crispness:

• Coat raw sausages in breadcrumbs before cooking. This adds a crispy coating.

• Partially cook sausages in the microwave then finish by pan frying or broiling briefly.

• Cook sausages on a ceramic plate. The material retains heat for browning.

• Use a microwave crisper. This specialty dish is designed to crisp foods.

While microwave cooking locks in moisture, taking a few extra steps can still provide a crispy sausage texture.

Flavoring Your Sausage

Plain sausage from the microwave can be a bit bland. Punch up the flavor with these easy additions:

• Coat raw sausage in your favorite dry rub or spice blend.

• Brush cooked sausage with barbecue sauce, mustard or other condiment.

• Dice up cooked sausage and sauté with onion, peppers and seasoning.

• Crisp up cooked sausage slices in a skillet with brown sugar and chili powder.

• Mix crumbled cooked sausage into gravy, eggs, potatoes or rice dishes.

With the right seasoning or mix-ins, microwave sausage can be bursting with flavor. Get creative!

Perfect Pairings

Now that you’ve mastered cooking Conecuh sausage in the microwave, let’s look at some tasty ways to serve it up:

• Breakfast sandwiches – Egg, cheese and sausage on an English muffin

• Breakfast burritos – Scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, etc. wrapped up

• Pizza – Sausage, tomato sauce, cheese, etc. on a crispy crust

• Pasta – Penne, sausage, spinach and parmesan cheese

• Gumbo – Traditional Southern stew with sausage and vegetables

• Quesadillas – Cheese, sausage, peppers, etc. between tortillas

• Baked potatoes – Top with crumbled sausage, cheese, salsa and more

However you choose to use it, microwave-cooked Conecuh sausage is the perfect quick and easy addition.

Safety Tips

As with any meat, proper handling and cooking is crucial:

• Always cook sausage to an internal temperature of 160°F.

• Don’t let cooked sausage sit out for more than 2 hours. Refrigerate promptly.

• Make sure to cover raw sausage securely for microwave cooking.

• Use separate plates and utensils for handling raw vs. cooked sausage.

• Wash hands, surfaces and cookware thoroughly after handling raw sausage.

Following basic food safety guidelines ensures you and your loved ones stay healthy.