So, the first batch was downright awful!
So bad I wouldn't give it away.
Took some time, reworked the recipe, and made a second attempt last weekend.
Fried some up and made sausage and peppers hero's.
Much, much better, but the flavor was lacking and/or too mild.
Another issue I had was with the texture, it just wasn't right.
I was using the coarse attachment to my grinder.
So I reworked the recipe again, ground half the meat with the fine attachment, the other half coarse, and tried again last night.
I think I'm settled on the recipe, and the texture is better, but not perfect.
There is a medium grind attachment that I can buy for the grinder, but it's out of stock right now.
Luckily between the last 2 attempts, I have 20+ pounds of sausage, so I have some time before I need the attachment.
Anyways, here's my recipe, until I change it.
10 lbs pork
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayanne pepper
2 teaspoons anise seed
2 teaspoons fennel seed
2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup paprika
1/2 cup Ice water