Food For Thought

What Are Hot Links?

People enjoy sausage in a variety of meals, but what are hot links and what makes them special? Hot links are a seasoned, spicy sausage link that can help kick up a casserole or be grilled to perfection.

These sausages combine tender juiciness of pork and chicken to make an irresistible combination that wake up your taste buds. They are gluten-free with no MSG, making them a quality way to add protein to your day. Check out these amazing recipes to shake up your normal routine.

HOT LINKS BREAKFAST HASH

Spice up your morning with some easy hot link hash. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Take a 10- or 12-inch ovenproof skillet and heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add 4 cups frozen potatoes O’Brien. Cook covered for a total of 8 minutes. Turn the potatoes while covered every 2 minutes for even cooking. Add 2 Bar-S Hot Links quartered lengthwise and cut up to the pan. Once the hot link sausages are heated through, make 4 nests out of the potatoes, and break one egg into each one. Add salt and pepper. Cook the mixture 1-2 minutes to allow the eggs to set then move the skillet to the oven. Bake for 6-9 minutes then sprinkle with 3/4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese. Let the cheese melt in the oven another minute then serve.

JAMBALAYA PASTA WITH HOT LINKS

Serve a hearty meal in 20 minutes. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and 2 chopped bell peppers and cook until soft. Add 2-4 sliced Bar-S Hot Links. Cook sausage until browned, and then add garlic, cooking about 1 minute. Add 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to the mixture. Add 4 cups of chicken broth or stock, 1 can diced tomatoes, 10 oz uncooked penne pasta and 1 cup cooked 1-inch pieces of chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer until pasta is fully cooked, about 20 minutes. Add 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Serve after cheese melts. Top your jambalaya with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

CHEESY SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

You need 3 cups of cooked rice for this recipe. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet. Add 8 Bar-S Hot Links sliced into 1/2-inch pieces and 1 chopped white onion to the oil. Cook until both the sausage and onions are fully cooked. Then add 1 cup chopped celery. Cook another minute. Mix one 10.75 oz can cream of mushroom soup with 1/2 cup of milk. Add the mixture and pre-cooked rice, and season with 1 teaspoon season salt, salt and pepper. When warm all the way through, add 2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese and let melt. Stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped, cooked broccoli and serve. This simple dish is great for busy weeknights.

PEASANT SOUP WITH HOT LINKS

Make this delicious soup in about 40 minutes. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot. Saute 1 cup diced carrots, 1 diced onion and 1 cup chopped celery until tender. Slice 6 Bar-S Hot Links and cook until lightly browned. Add 4 cups chicken broth, two 15.5-ounce cans cannellini beans, one 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of basil and 1 teaspoon garlic salt then simmer for 10 minutes on low. Add 2 cups half and half, 4 cups fresh or frozen spinach and 1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese. Melt the cheese and cook spinach, and then sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.

Check out the Bar-S Hot Links for more information, available in Classic, Cheddar and Cheddar & Jalapeno.