Sourdough Sausage Muffins - 7 points

While my parents and grandmother were here this week, we received a call saying that my grandmother's oldest sister had passed away. My great aunt had been in a nursing home for several years, slowly fading away as Alzheimer's took her memory. This morning, my father had the honor of conducting her memorial service.

I did not get to spend a lot of time with my great aunt. During college, I spent a few nights in her home as a resting over place when traveling to visit my grandparents. She always served a wonderful breakfast and, like any good college student, I was perpetually hungry and grateful for free food! One morning she served some delicious rolls that I was sure were an old family recipe because they were just that good. I asked her if I could have the recipe and expected her to reply that it was a secret.

Nope. It was Mr. Food. Apparently, my aunt loved watching the Mr. Food section on the news in the morning. The week before, he had made a bread using dough from a bread maker, broccoli, and nuts (I think - I can't find it on the Internet). We had a good laugh over me thinking Mr. Food's quick cooking idea was my family's culinary heritage. Then, we had this long conversation about other things you could put into yeast dough to make delicious muffins.

When I got to my grandmother's house, I used her bread maker to make all kinds of versions of the Mr. Food/ Great Aunt bread. The one that we finally decided we liked best contained a mix of sausage and nuts. It has been part of my repertoire ever since, and I think of my great aunt whenever I make it.

Stone announced that he is going to a Super Bowl party at the home of one of his supervisors. Although I will not be joining him (as I enjoy neither American football nor listening to people yell at the TV), I thought it would be fun to make something to send along with him. Since my great aunt has been on my mind, I decided to make the bread that reminds me of her. This time I added a little sourdough twist - just a little something to mess with the family tradition.

Sourdough Sausage Muffins
1 cup Amish sourdough starter
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
2 pkts yeast
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
5 cups all purpose flour
1 lb maple flavored sausage
1/3 cup pecans, finely chopped

1. Combine all ingredients save sausage and pecans. Knead until dough is soft and smooth.
2. Form the dough into a ball and leave it in a glass bowl, covered with a cloth, for 45 minutes.
3. While the dough is rising, brown the sausage in a medium skillet over medium low heat. Drain.
4. Add pecans and sausage to the dough by kneading gently. Once they are fully incorporated, recover the dough and leave it for another 20 minutes.
5. Gently form the dough into 18 balls, and place each ball into a greased muffin cup or muffin stone. Allow 15 more minutes, for dough to rerise.
6. Place the muffins in a 400F oven for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown on top. (This temperature will make the muffins quite crusty - if you would prefer them to be softer, lower the temperature and extend the cooking time.)
7. Yields 18, 7 point servings

If you try this recipe, I hope it may become one of your family traditions as well:)

I have enjoyed all of the Super Bowl snack lists people have been posting, particularly....

The Girl Who Ate Everything
My Kind of Cooking
For the Love of Cooking
Recipe Girl
Chicho's Kitchen (so, these were not actually intended for the Super Bowl, but they are perfect for it!)