Create Your Own Sausages At Markethouse
By Anthony Todd in Food on Mar 30, 2012 4:00PM
Does the thought of sweet italian sausage with fresh garden basil, fennel and garlic make you want to start munching? What about spicy chorizo with cheddar and chilies? If you're a big griller, this is your lucky year. Chef Scott Walton over at Markethouse has started a custom sausage program - you can design and order your own sausages or choose from his menu of speciality sausages. The prices are reasonable, the meat is sustainable, and the sausages are very tasty.
There are two basic options for the discerning meat eater. First, you can pick one of Walton's speciality sausages. These include Lamb Merguez (with smoked paprika, harissa, fennel and garlic), Seafood (with lobster, shrimp and truffles) and Spiced Apple Chicken Sausage (with melted leeks and garden sage). All of these will run you between $6-8 per pound.
You're more curious than that, though - you want to design your own. Start with a protein (pork, lamb, chicken, veal) and pick a style. Maybe you want to try a kielbasa? A frankfurter? Boudin? After you pick your style, for twenty five cents each you can toss in speciality ingredients like marcona almonds, apple, 8-year cheddar, leeks, pistachios or cranberries.
It gets better. You can also buy sides, which may be the most exciting part of the deal. Walton's duck bacon made us swoon with happiness, and you can also get a variety of pates, including a lamb and winter truffle pate. Accompany them with a homemade mustard - try the wonderfully complex violet mustard or the shockingly hot apple cider mustard.
All of the meat is local, from Slagel Farm, Gunthrop Farms and Maple Leaf Farm. Walton bragged yesterday that he had two whole pigs sitting in the kitchen waiting for orders. He also hinted that there may be some vegetarian sausages coming - but he's still working on the recipes.
The program starts on April 1, so start planning your spring cookout right now! Each order requires 48-hours notice, and you can pick them up at the restaurant. There is a 5-pound minimum for sausage orders. Email housemadesausages@markethousechicago.com for a complete menu, more information or to place your order.
Markethouse is located at 611 N. Fairbanks Ct.