Luxembourgian Träipen with Apple Compote

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) minced pork 500g (1.1 lb) minced pork
• 200g (7 oz) pork blood 200g (7 oz) pork blood
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 4-5 apples, peeled, cored, and diced 4-5 apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Juice of 1/2 lemon Juice of 1/2 lemon

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 10g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced pork, pork blood, chopped onion, nutmeg, cloves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Stuff the mixture into sausage casings, forming sausages of desired length.
3. 3.
   In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the sausages and simmer gently for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
4. 4.
   While the sausages are cooking, prepare the apple compote. In a separate saucepan, combine the diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and the mixture has thickened slightly.
5. 5.
   Once the sausages are cooked, remove them from the pot and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve the Träipen hot with a generous spoonful of apple compote on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork — Choose lean minced pork for a healthier option.
• Pork blood — If pork blood is not available, you can substitute it with beef blood or omit it altogether for a milder flavor.
• Apples — Opt for tart apples such as Granny Smith or Braeburn for a balanced sweetness in the compote.
• Sausage casings — Natural hog casings are commonly used for Träipen, but synthetic casings can be used as well.
• Nutmeg — Freshly grated nutmeg provides the best flavor, so consider using whole nutmeg and grating it yourself.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor of the sausage, you can add a splash of white wine or apple cider vinegar to the mixture.
• Serve Träipen with crusty bread or boiled potatoes to soak up the delicious juices.
• If you prefer a smoother apple compote, you can blend it briefly with an immersion blender.
• Adjust the sweetness of the compote by adding more or less sugar according to your taste preference.
• Leftover Träipen can be sliced and pan-fried for a delicious breakfast or sandwich filling.

Serving advice

Serve the Träipen hot, accompanied by a generous spoonful of apple compote on the side. Garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Träipen sausages on a platter, drizzle the apple compote over them, and sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs on top. Serve with a side of boiled potatoes or crusty bread.