This pairing combines the savory and aromatic flavors of homemade breakfast sausage with the intriguing story of "Where the Crawdads Sing" and the refreshing complexity of a Smoked Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned. The novel's deep emotional layers and the cocktail's rich, smoky notes beautifully complement the sausages' diverse spices, creating a harmonious blend that delights the senses and invites reflection on the book's themes of love, mystery, and survival.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sausage Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground pork with salt, black pepper, sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), brown sugar or maple syrup (if using), nutmeg, and allspice. Mix well until all the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
- Form the Patties: Divide the sausage mixture into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty about 2.5 inches in diameter.
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the sausage patties to the skillet, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C).
- Serve: Serve the homemade breakfast sausage patties hot, alongside your favorite breakfast sides.
Where the Crawdads Sing
An exquisite homage to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Where the Crawdads Sing is a novel by Delia Owens that follows Kya Clark, the mysterious 'Marsh Girl' of Barkley Cove. For years, rumors of the 'Marsh Girl' have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life–until the unthinkable happens.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING PHENOMENON—NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE! More than 18 million copies sold worldwide A Reese’s Book Club Pick A Business Insider Defining Book of the Decade “I can't even express how much I love this book! I didn't want this story to end!”—Reese Witherspoon “Painfully beautiful.”—The New York Times Book Review For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life—until the unthinkable happens. Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.
Discussion Questions
- How does the author describe nature throughout the book, and how does this influence the storyline?
- In what ways does the setting of the marsh become a character in its own right?
- What role does isolation play in Kya's life and in the story overall?
- How do the themes of prejudice and social isolation manifest in the book?
- Discuss the symbolism of the shell necklace found with Chase's body.
- What aspects of Kya's life teach her about human nature?
- How does the author use poetry as a storytelling device?
- Is there a character you particularly relate to or find compelling? Why?
- What does justice mean in the context of this story?
- How do Kya's interactions with nature and the environment define her character?
Authors:
Delia Owens
ISBN: 1984827618
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2018-08-14
Smoked Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned
This sophisticated twist on the classic Old Fashioned, featuring smoked maple syrup, adds a rich and warming character that pairs beautifully with the spices in your homemade breakfast sausage.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz smoked maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
- Ice
- Smoked salt (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, smoked maple syrup, and bitters.
- Add ice and stir until well-chilled.
- Strain into an old fashioned glass over a large ice cube.
- Express the orange peel over the drink to release the oils and drop it into the glass.
- Optionally, rim the glass with a touch of smoked salt for an added smoky note.