Preparation Steps

• Gather the tools and ingredients for the recipe.
• Prepare the fennel. Cut off the fronds and stalks. Slice the fennel through the middle from top to bottom. Remove the core. Slice the remaining fennel bulb thinly.

Cooking Instructions

Cooking The Fennel

• Using a heavy skillet, add the butter and olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the butter is melted. Add the raw fennel and a pinch of kosher salt.
• Cook the fennel for 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally until it browns. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook until completely caramelized.
• Remove the fennel from the pan and rough chop.

Toasting the Fennel Seeds

• Heat a dry pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the fennel seeds and monitor them closely. When they begin to turn brown, stir to avoid burning.
• Once they have turned brown, remove from the heat and set aside.

Making the Sweet Sausage Fennel mixture

• In a bowl, add the pork, fennel, thyme, roasted garlic, toasted fennel seeds, balsamic vinegar, salt, and 8-10 grinds of pepper.
• Mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.
• Make a small "tester" sausage meat patty. Cook thoroughly, taste the cooked sausage, and adjust the seasonings.

Cooking the Sweet Fennel Sausage

• Form the sausage mixture into patties. They shouldn't be too thick; otherwise, they will take forever to cook through.
• In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the sausage patties.
• Cover the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the sausage patties with tongs and recover. Cook for another 4-5 minutes or until cooked through.
• Serve hot and enjoy!