Five-pound pepper-and-mustard summer-style sausage — cooked and refrigerated
New spicy/optional-cheese adaptation of the existing cooked FOOD-017 alternative, supplied on incomplete related records. The authoritative temperature requirement applies to cooking; the flavor formula has not been tested by Robert.
- YIELD
- About 4 lb cooked sausage, approximately 20 snack portions
- PREP / WAIT
- 25 minutes; chill after cooking for clean slicing
- COOK
- About 45–75 minutes at 325°F; every log must reach 160°F
Ingredients
- 5 lb cold 80/20 ground beef
- 1/2 cup ice water
- 30 g fine salt
- 2 tablespoons whole yellow mustard seed
- 2 teaspoons coarse black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Optional cheese version: 8 oz sharp cheddar, cut into 1/4-inch cubes and kept cold
Method
- Heat the oven to 325°F. Set an oven-safe rack over one or two rimmed pans; lightly oil the racks. Keep ground beef refrigerated until mixing.
- Mix the water, salt and spices, then work into the beef until evenly distributed and slightly tacky. If using the measured cheese, fold it in last. Do not add curing salt.
- Divide into 8–10 short skinless logs, each no more than 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Leave space between logs and pans for even heating. Put them directly into the preheated oven; do not hang them at room temperature.
- Start measuring the centers after 45 minutes. Continue until each log reaches at least 160°F on a clean food thermometer; larger loads take longer. Ordinary cheddar may melt out, so do not lower the meat endpoint to preserve cheese cubes.
- Put small portions in shallow containers and refrigerate at 40°F or below within 2 hours (1 hour if the surroundings exceed 90°F). Eat within 3–4 days or freeze; reheat leftovers to 165°F.
- For cold slices, chill thoroughly in the refrigerator before cutting. This is cooked sausage for cold storage, not fermented or dry-cured summer sausage.
Notes & storage
- This extends the already-complete FOOD-017 oven alternative with the recovered preference for mustard seeds, heat and no jalapeños. FOOD-017 itself is left untouched.
- Use this recipe only with the stated oven process. It does not validate the old 120–180°F stepped smoker schedule, a 152°F finish, or any Tender Quick rate from a recovered conversation.
- Optional regular cheddar adds pockets of cheese but is not high-temperature cheese; some melting is expected. The beef recipe works without it.