Description
This Savory Sausage Roll Wreath Twist is a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring a spiced cranberry sauce and a herby sausage filling wrapped in crispy puff pastry, this elegant wreath-shaped appetizer offers a delightful blend of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 250ml jar cranberry sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- Zest of ½ lemon
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tbsp Cointreau (optional)
Filling Ingredients
- 500g sausage meat
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp chopped oregano
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Pastry and Garnish
- 500g puff pastry
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Handful of bay leaves
- Rosemary sprigs, to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the cranberry sauce: In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, honey, lemon zest, star anise, cinnamon stick, and Cointreau if using. Simmer gently for 10 minutes to infuse flavors, then remove from heat, discard the star anise and cinnamon stick, and set aside.
- Make the sausage filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the sausage meat with fennel seeds, chopped oregano, and ground nutmeg. Mix thoroughly. For seasoning accuracy, fry a small piece of the mixture and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Assemble the wreath: Roll out the puff pastry and cut into strips. Place sausage mixture along each strip, then roll tightly to encase the filling. Arrange the rolled pastries in a circular shape on a baking tray to form a wreath. Brush the entire wreath with beaten egg to encourage browning.
- Bake: Place the wreath in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden and cooked through.
- Garnish and serve: Decorate the wreath with rosemary sprigs and bay leaves. Serve warm alongside the spiced cranberry sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Adjust the seasoning of the sausage mixture by frying a small test piece before assembling.
- If you do not have Cointreau, you can omit it; the sauce will still be flavorful.
- Ensure the puff pastry is chilled before baking to achieve optimal flakiness.
- Use fresh herbs for garnish to add aroma and enhance presentation.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute puff pastry with a gluten-free version.
