INGREDIENTS
- ½ red onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Single Varietal EVOO , plus additional for brushing the bake pan
- ¼ cup Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar
- ¾ cup apricot preserves
- 1/3 cup spicy brown mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 pound sage flavored sausage
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Heat 1 tablespoon of EVOO in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Sauté chopped red onions for about 1-2 minutes until onions start to soften. Add the ¼ cup of balsamic and reduce by half, about 90 seconds. Remove balsamic-onion mixture from heat and combine with the 1/3 cup spicy brown mustard and ¾ cup apricot preserves. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt and stir until well combined. Place the 1 pound of sausage into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the dipping sauce directly into the sausage and mix well. Form sausage into bite-sized balls and fully coat in the Italian bread crumbs. Place the sausage bites onto a bake pan lightly brushed with the EVOO. Bake for about 15-18 minutes until evenly brown. Turn sausage bites often while baking to achieve a uniform browning. Drain sausage bites on a paper towel and serve with toothpicks and dipping sauce.
SERVES 8 (ABOUT 20-24 PIECES)
