Easy and Elegant: How to Make a Stunning Sausage Plait Inspired by Mary Berry

Discover the joy of making a simple yet impressive sausage plait, inspired by Mary Berry. This recipe combines savory sausage and flaky pastry in an eye-catching design, perfect for any meal. It’s easy, delicious, and sure to be a hit with family and friends. Let’s get baking!

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Delicious Flavor: The mix of savory sausage, zesty lemon, and sun-blushed tomatoes creates a rich and satisfying taste that appeals to a wide range of palates.

Impressive Presentation: With its plaited design, this dish is visually appealing, making it great for special occasions where you want to impress guests.

Comforting and Satisfying: The combination of flaky pastry and hearty sausage provides a comforting and fulfilling dining experience, making it a perfect choice for a cozy family meal or a comforting weekend brunch.

Versatile: It’s adaptable for different diets (like vegetarian options) and allows for various fillings to suit personal tastes.

Ideal for Sharing: The plait is perfect for social gatherings or family meals, as it’s easy to slice, serve, and enjoy together.

Mary Berry Sausage Plait Recipe Overview:

This recipe takes the essence of a traditional sausage roll and elevates it to a new level of culinary delight. Using store-bought puff pastry for convenience (though homemade is always an option for the enthusiasts), the plait is filled with a mixture of sausage meat, zesty lemon, sun-blushed tomatoes, and aromatic thyme. The preparation is simpler than it looks. Once you’ve mastered the plaiting technique, it’s sure to become a favorite. Total cooking time is about 30-45 minutes. This recipe serves around 4-6 people. Perfect for a family meal or a special brunch.

Ingredients

• Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
• Lemon zest: zest of 1 small lemon, finely grated
• Sausage meat: 1.25 lbs, quality sausage meat
• Thyme leaves: 1.5 tbsp, freshly chopped
• Sun-blushed tomatoes: 3 oz, chopped
• Egg: 1 large, beaten for glazing
• Puff pastry: 1 large sheet, ready-rolled
• Flour: for dusting
• Salt and pepper: to taste

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Filling: In a bowl, mix the sausage meat with chopped onion and lemon zest. Also add sun-blushed tomatoes, thyme leaves. And lastly, salt and pepper to taste.
3. Pastry Prep: Lightly dust a surface with flour and roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle.
4. Assembling: Spread the sausage mixture down the center of the pastry. Cut diagonal strips along both sides of the pastry.
5. Plaiting: Fold the strips over the sausage meat alternately from each side to create a plait effect.
6. Glazing: Brush the plait with the beaten egg.
7. Baking: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
8. Serving: Let it cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm.

Nutritional Value (per serving)

Calories: Approximately 450-500 kcal

Protein: 20g

Carbohydrates: 30g

Fat: 30g

Also Try: Mary Berry Potato Salad Recipe

FAQs

What Type of Sausage Meat Should I Use for the Sausage Plait?

The choice of sausage meat can significantly influence the flavor of your sausage plait. For best results, opt for high-quality sausage meat from your local butcher or a trusted brand. You can choose between pork, beef, or even turkey sausage meat, depending on your preference. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might want to try a flavored sausage meat like apple and pork or garlic and herb for an extra flavor kick.

Can I Make the Sausage Plait Vegetarian?

Sure thing! If you’re leaning towards a vegetarian twist on this sausage plait, it’s totally doable. Swap out the sausage meat for your favorite veggie sausage mix, or get creative with a blend of lentils, mushrooms, and breadcrumbs for that hearty texture. Just a heads-up – you might want to jazz it up with some extra herbs and spices. Plant-based ingredients love a bit of a flavor boost!

How Can I Ensure My Puff Pastry Doesn’t Get Soggy?

To avoid a soggy bottom, ensure that your filling is not too wet. If you’re using ingredients like tomatoes, make sure they are well-drained and pat dry. Also, baking the plait in a preheated oven is crucial, as it helps the pastry start cooking immediately, sealing in the moisture. Using a higher temperature initially can also help to set the pastry before lowering it to cook through.

Is It Possible to Prepare the Sausage Plait in Advance and Bake Later?

Yes, you can prepare the sausage plait in advance. Assemble the plait, and cover it tightly with cling film. Then refrigerate it for up to a day before you plan to bake it. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator and glaze it with egg wash. After that bake as instructed. This makes it a convenient option for entertaining or preparing meals ahead of time.

How Do I Store Leftover Sausage Plait, and Can It Be Reheated?

Got some leftover sausage plait? No problem! Pop it in the fridge for a couple of days, just make sure it’s cooled down before you wrap it up or toss it in a container. When you’re ready to reheat, give it a quick warm-up in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-15 minutes, until it’s nice and hot again. Oh, and try to avoid the microwave for this one – it tends to turn the pastry a bit soggy.

Conclusion

This sausage plait, inspired by Mary Berry’s classic recipe, is a delightful twist on the traditional sausage roll. With its flaky pastry and rich, savory filling, it’s sure to impress both family and guests alike. Remember, the beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. There is a joy of making something that looks as good as it tastes. Enjoy your cooking adventure!