CAJUN BOUDIN BALLS RECIPES

Steps:

• Make your boudin, see our recipe. Or, if using the store purchased variety, remove the meat mixture from the casing. Roll the mixture into balls a little smaller than an egg; actually any size. There are two ways to make these and two ways to cook them.
• Method 1. Crush your crackers to a fine meal consistency and season to taste. Or you can buy any flavored crackers. Take the boudin balls and roll them in the cracker meal. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. Heat the cooking oil until a small amount of flour dropped in sizzles on top of the oil. Drop the boudin ball and fry until golden brown. Place on paper towels to drain. Serve warm but it tastes great even when cold. OR preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place the balls on a cookie sheet and cook for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown, turning halfway thru the cooking process.
• Method 2. Combine the milk and egg in a glass bowl. Set aside. Crush your crackers to a fine meal consistency, season to taste. Or you can use flavored crackers. Roll the boudin balls in the cracker meal. Season to taste. Take the boudoin ball and first coat with the milk and egg mixture; then dredge in the cracker mixture. (You could do this step twice to get a really thick coating.) Place on a plate and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. Heat the cooking oil until a small amount of flour dropped in sizzles on top of the oil. Drop the boudin ball and fry until golden brown. Place on paper towels to drain. Serve warm but it tastes great even when cold. Pork rinds compliments this dish very well.

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.