Nice adjustment THP. I hope this gets more people to participate. It's not the same without some of the regulars. I would like to see how some of the "new talent" measures up to some of the "old salts".
On a side note, I had similar concerns about the last sausage throwdown, but they were quickly dispelled. I will list my concerns and the solutions below in figure A.
Figure A: Concerns
1. Where the hell am I going to get Sausage casing?
I went to Whole Foods, because I know they make their own sausage there.
I went up to the butcher and I was like, "Hey man, I gotta do this crazy ass thing where I make my own sausage, but I don't know where to get casing"
The guy was like, "cool"
So I was like, "...man, you think I can have enough casing for maybe 3 or 4 sausages?, I"ll pay for them".
And the guy said, "no problem bro. Here, no charge."
True story. It was free. If you can't find casings, go somewhere that makes sausage and just ask. I'll bet they'll give you some free, or charge you mere pennies.
2. I don't have expensive sausage-making equipment
The casing is, from what bear tells me, about the girth of a skinny condom. It fits over a piece of PVC.
Jam your meat (the sausage meat) into the pvc, slap on some wet casing, and push the meat in using a stick, plunger style.
It works, especially since you're only making 3 or 4 sausages.
When it gets to the desired length, give it a few twists and it should pop off.
(what??)
Thankfully you don't HAVE to make sausage for this one, but it CAN be done, and it's easier than it sounds. I hope everyone joins the fun!!!
FD