HOME PAGE

BOUDIN PAGE

ANDOUILLE PAGE

 

WHAT IS ANDOUILLE

 

Andouille is a spiced, heavily smoked pork sausage, distinguished in some varieties by its use of the entire gastrointestinal system of the pig: for example, traditional French andouille is composed primarily of the intestines and stomach.

The style of sausage is now widespread, and so it is unclear whether it originated in France, whence the name comes, or in Germany, where similar recipes also have a long history.

The recipe was brought to the New World by the French colonists of Louisiana, and Cajun andouille is the best-known variety in the United States. The spiciest of all the variants, Cajun andouille is made of butt or shank meat and fat, and seasoned with salt, cracked black pepper, and garlic, and smoked over pecan wood and sugar cane for up to seven or eight hours at approximately 175 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees Celsius). The resulting sausage is used in a wide range of Louisiana dishes, such as gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and étouffée.

 

HOW TO MAKE ANDOUILLE
 

Homemade Andouille Sausage:
2 1/2 pounds boneless pork butt, 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 pound pork fat, cut into pieces
1/4 cup Essence, recipe follows
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon file powder
3/4 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Combine the pork, pork fat, Essence, paprika, garlic, black pepper, salt, file, chili powder, red pepper, and cumin in a large bowl and mix well. Pass through a food grinder fitted with a coarse die. (Alternately, transfer in 2 batches to a food processor and process until finely ground.) Transfer to a large bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

To test the seasoning, heat 1 teaspoon oil in a small skillet, and cook about 2 teaspoons of the mixture. Adjust seasoning, to taste.

Using the sausage attachment on a mixer, stuff the meat into the casings, if being used. Twist and tie off to make 4-inch sausages. Alternately, shape into patties.

Preheat a home smoker to 250 degrees F. Smoke the sausage for 11/2 hours. Remove from the smoker and use as desired.

 

Quick Links:  Turducken Crawfish King Cake Cajun Food Gumbo Andouille Boudin Fresh Shrimp