BOUDIN CASING RECIPES

Steps:

• Note: Depending on your region or access, the "boudin" or "cajun" sauage you're able to find could be raw or pre-cooked. Check the package directions to ensure which type you have. If you have cooked sausage, you can move on to the next step (there's no need to cook it again first). If you have raw sausage, it should be cooked before moving forward. If you're unsure how to cook sausage, check out this guide .
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x5 baking dish (or similar size - should be able to hold 1 quart) with cooking spray, then set aside.
• Prepare sausage by removing casing and crumbling into small pieces (should be 1/2 inch or less in size). Tip: for best results, use your hands to crumble sausage; this way you can feel any remaining pieces of casing or other undesirable parts and remove them. Once crumbled, set sausage aside.
• Using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer + large bowl), mix cream cheese and sour cream on medium speed until smooth, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons of green onion, and sausage to bowl, then use a spatula to thoroughly mix all ingredients together.
• Pour dip mixture into prepared baking dish, spreading out and pressing it into an even layer.
• Bake dip for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Serve immediately with remaining 2 tablespoons of green onion garnished on top.

Steps:

• Place the pork shoulder, celery, onion, garlic, bell pepper, and salt into a large pot. Cover with 2 inches of water, bring to a boil and then turn down the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour. After an hour, add the chicken liver to the pot and continue to cook for 45 more minutes or until the pork is tender.
• Strain the meat and vegetables, reserving the liquid. Finely dice the meat and vegetables with a knife, in a food processor or in a meat grinder set for a coarse grind. Once diced, place meat and vegetables in a bowl.
• Add to the bowl the cooked rice, jalapeños, thyme, oregano, paprika, green onions parsley, black pepper, and cayenne. Stir in 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid and combine until the filling is moist and slightly sticky. If it appears too dry, add more of the reserved liquid. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed.
• To stuff into casings for sausage, first rinse the outside of the casing and then place it in a bowl of water for 30 minutes to soften. Drain the soaking water and then rinse the inside of the casing by placing one end on the kitchen faucet, turn the water on low and allow it to flow through the casing. The casing will blow up like a balloon—this is fine.
• Lightly oil the stuffing horn on your sausage stuffer with vegetable oil. Tie a knot at one end of the casing. Take the other end and gently slide the entire casing onto the horn, leaving the knot plus an additional 4 inches hanging off the end of the horn.
• Place the filling into the feeder and push it through until it starts to fill the casing. Go slowly at first and note that you’ll need to massage the casing as the meat goes through it so it fills the casing evenly.
• Once you’ve filled the casing, to form links, pinch it every 5 inches and then twist it until it’s secure. You can then cut the casing to form individual sausages.
• To cook, poke holes into the casing then then poach in boiling water for 10 minutes. You can also grill or smoke the boudin.
• Alternatively, you can either serve the filling as a dressing, or you can roll it into walnut-sized balls, dip into finely crushed crackers and fry in 350 degree oil for 2 minutes or until brown to make boudin balls.