how to cook delias chicken sausage

Mastering Delia Smith’s Signature Chicken Sausage Recipe

Renowned British cook Delia Smith has an iconic chicken sausage recipe that home cooks have come to know and love Her flavorful yet straightforward take on chicken sausage is a must-try for any fan of hers. If you want to master cooking Delia’s famous chicken sausage at home, read on for a complete guide

Who is Delia Smith?

For those not familiar, Delia Smith is a hugely popular cookbook author and television chef in the UK. Often referred to as the “Queen of Cookery,” she has sold over 20 million cookbooks worldwide.

Delia is celebrated for her simple, approachable recipes and precise techniques that take the mystery out of cooking. Her programs like Delia Smith’s Cookery Course made her a household name in England.

Her fame extends to America as well, with several bestselling cookbooks like Delia’s Complete Illustrated Cookery Course. Delia’s savory chicken sausage recipe has become a signature dish that home cooks continue making today.

Delia’s Chicken Sausage Recipe Origins

Delia’s chicken sausage recipe first appeared in her 1990 book Delia Smith’s Christmas. It was conceived as part of a Christmas buffet menu, served alongside other dishes like garlic mushrooms and potato gratins.

The recipe utilizes a homemade chicken sausage mixture flavored with lemon zest and thyme. Delia provides specific instructions for rolling and cooking the sausages to perfection.

Over the years, this seemingly simple sausage recipe took on an iconic status amongst Delia fans. It reflects her philosophy of taking a classic dish and elevating it with high-quality ingredients and careful technique.

Making Delia’s Signature Chicken Sausages

If you want to recreate Delia’s famous chicken sausages. here is a step-by-step guide

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Flour for dusting
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together the ground chicken, onion, thyme, lemon zest, egg yolk, salt, and pepper until well combined.

2. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Dust your hands with flour and shape each portion into a sausage shape, roughly 4 inches long.

3. Place the sausages on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up.

4. Add 1-2 Tbsp oil to a nonstick frying pan and heat over medium high heat.

5. Add the sausages and fry for 12-15 minutes, turning frequently, until nicely browned all over and cooked through.

6. Transfer the cooked sausages to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess oil. Serve hot.

Delia’s Tips for Perfect Chicken Sausages

As with all of her recipes, Delia provides helpful tips for ensuring success when making her chicken sausages:

• Use fresh, good quality ground chicken rather than pre-packaged sausage meat.

• Add the onion when raw for more flavor. Cooked onion makes the texture too soft.

• Chilling the sausage mixture before cooking helps them hold their shape better.

• Fry over medium-high heat to get nice browning without overcooking the inside.

• Turn the sausages frequently while frying to ensure even color and cooking.

With Delia’s guidance, you’re guaranteed to successfully recreate her famous chicken sausages that have stood the test of time.

Serving Suggestions for Delia’s Chicken Sausages

Delia Smith’s chicken sausages make a quick and easy meal, but they also shine as part of a bigger spread. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Serve the sausages on brioche rolls with desired toppings for a tasty sandwich.

• Include the sausages in a flavorful rice bowl with vegetables and sauce.

• Chop the sausage into bites and add to pasta dishes, risottos or frittatas.

• Slice the sausages and enjoy with roasted vegetables, grains or salad for dinner.

• Top a pizza crust with tomato sauce, mozzarella and sliced chicken sausage for a fun twist.

• For breakfast, add fried chicken sausage to egg dishes like scrambles, frittatas or breakfast tacos.

The possibilities are endless! Delia’s sausage recipe is versatile enough to incorporate into all different types of cuisine.

Making Delia’s Chicken Sausages Kid-Friendly

Delia’s original recipe is perfectly family-friendly, but there are a few easy ways to make it appeal even more to kids:

• Let kids help shape the sausage mixture into fun shapes like balls or patties.

• Add a bit of grated cheddar or parmesan cheese to the sausage mix. The extra flavor will entice kids.

• Fry the sausages in a smaller round shape to resemble breakfast patties.

• Skewer sausages and vegetables onto sticks for kid-friendly chicken “kebabs”.

• Substitute ground turkey for the chicken to accommodate kids who dislike poultry.

With a few minor adjustments, Delia’s chicken sausage recipe can become a new family favorite pleasing both parents and kids.

Chicken Sausage Recipe Variations

Once you master Delia’s original recipe, there are many exciting ways to put your own spin on her chicken sausages:

• Substitute lemon zest with orange zest and sage instead of thyme for a citrus flavor.

• Use spicy ground chicken and add minced chipotle pepper for a kick of heat.

• Mix in shredded Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach for an Italian-style sausage.

• For breakfast, add maple syrup and sage to the sausage mix and shape into patties.

• Instead of frying, bake the sausages in the oven until browned and cooked through.

The basic technique remains the same, but you can customize the flavor profile to suit your tastes. Delia would surely approve of putting your own stamp on her signature sausage.

Tips for Preparing and Storing Chicken Sausages

When cooking any chicken sausage – Delia’s or your own variation – keep these preparation and storage tips in mind:

• Uncooked sausages can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 4 months.

• If freezing sausage patties or links, separate them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together.

• If using pre-packaged raw chicken sausage, check the use-by-date and follow safety guidelines.

• Cook sausages to an internal temperature of 165°F and discard if they have an off smell or appearance.

• Store cooked sausages for up to 4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. Reheat fully before eating.

With proper handling, you can safely enjoy Delia’s chicken sausages all week long.

The Takeaway on Delia Smith’s Chicken Sausages

Recreating Delia Smith’s iconic chicken sausage recipe allows home cooks to experience a dish that has stood the test of time. With high-quality ingredients and careful technique, you too can achieve Delia’s scrumptious, flavored sausages.

This versatile recipe can be incorporated into all types of dishes while also serving as inspiration for your own variations. With Delia’s guidance, both kids and adults will love this savory, protein-packed sausage.

So next time you fire up the frying pan, channel your inner Delia Smith. Her instructional style and foolproof chicken sausage recipe will have your family asking for more. When a recipe has endured for over 30 years, you know it’s worth mastering.