Sausage Rolls with Honey Mustard Sauce

Yield: 12 Sausage Rolls
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Intensity: Low

Ingredients

For the Sausage Rolls:

• 1 lb (450g) high-quality pork sausage meat (or sausages, casings removed)

• 1 sheet (approx. 8 oz or 225g) all-butter puff pastry, thawed if frozen

• 1 small yellow onion, finely grated

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)

• All-purpose flour, for dusting

For the Honey Mustard Sauce:

• ¼ cup Dijon mustard

• ¼ cup whole grain mustard

• ¼ cup honey

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

Preparing the Filling:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Combine Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork sausage meat, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, smoked paprika, a pinch of salt, and a generous grind of black pepper. Using your hands or a fork, mix everything until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the filling tough.

Assembling the Sausage Rolls:

1. Roll the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet into a rectangle, approximately 12×12 inches, to smooth out any folds.

2. Shape the Filling: Divide the sausage mixture into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a long, even log, placing them along the long edges of the pastry sheet.

3. Wrap and Seal: Carefully fold the pastry over each sausage log, creating a long roll. Press the edges together to seal. You can use a little egg wash on the seam to help it stick.

4. Seam-Side Down: Turn the rolls over so the seam is on the bottom.

5. Chill: Transfer the two long rolls to the prepared baking sheet and place them in the freezer for 10 minutes. This crucial step makes them much easier to cut cleanly.

6. Cut and Score: Remove the rolls from the freezer. Using a sharp knife, cut each long roll into 6 equal pieces, giving you 12 sausage rolls in total. Use the tip of the knife to score 2-3 shallow diagonal lines on the top of each roll – this allows steam to escape and creates a professional look.

7. Egg Wash and Sprinkle: Brush the tops and sides of each sausage roll generously with the beaten egg. If using, sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds.

Baking to Perfection:

1. Bake: Arrange the sausage rolls on the baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between them. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, deep golden brown, and the sausage filling is completely cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 160°F / 71°C).

2. Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and let the sausage rolls cool on the baking sheet for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. They will be extremely hot inside!

Making the Honey Mustard Sauce:

While the sausage rolls are baking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and apple cider vinegar until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust honey or mustard to your preference. For a thinner sauce, you can add a teaspoon of water.

Chef’s Notes & Tips

• Sausage Selection: The quality of your sausage meat is key. For the best flavor, use a good-quality butcher’s sausage or Italian sausage. You can also experiment with flavors like apple & sage or spicy chorizo.

• Make-Ahead: You can assemble the sausage rolls up to a day in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You can also freeze them unbaked on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Bake from frozen, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.

• Avoid Soggy Bottoms: Ensuring your oven is fully preheated is essential for a crisp, flaky base.

• Grating the Onion: Grating the onion, rather than dicing it, incorporates its flavor seamlessly into the filling without leaving chunks and adds moisture.

Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: 1 Sausage Roll with 1 tablespoon of sauce

• Calories: 315

• Total Fat: 21g

• Saturated Fat: 7g

• Cholesterol: 45mg

• Sodium: 580mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 22g

• Dietary Fiber: 1g

• Sugars: 7g

• Protein: 10g

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands used.