Expert: Keith Patton - 12/24/2008

Question
How do you cook them.

Answer
al Rader:

The way to cook the sausage depends on whether it is in casings or loose.  If it is loose, form into patties and fry or use it like you would sausage in any other recipe.

If it is in casings and it has been made into breakfast sausage, them just fry it like you would any other sausage.  You might have to add a bit of olive oil to the skillet if the sausage is very lean.

The ground elk can be substitued for ground beef in any recipe.  It will be leaner than beef.  You should ask the person who gave it to you if beef fat was added or not.  If it was you may notice a disagreable smell and taste.  

I warn people about adding beef fat to game because it goes rancid or may be rancid when the processor adds it to the meat.  It ruins it.

If it wasn't added you may want to mix a bit of olive oil and ice cold water into the meat before making burgers.  For burgers or meatloaf you will need to add an egg or two since the meat will not hold together on its own very well due to the absence of fat.

Keith