Homemade Spicy Sausage Rolls

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You seriously cannot beat homemade sausage rolls and these Spicy Sausage rolls with Lentils are some of the best. I've been working with Barefoot Wine to produce a savoury baked Brunch recipe to pair with their fantastic Merlot and cannot think of a better example than these hearty, flavoursome sausage rolls.

Why you will love these Spicy Lentil and Pork Sausage Rolls

• So easy to make and great tasting - You will never want to go back to shop bought sausage rolls again!
• Freezable and always good to have a stash ready for unexpected guests when you get the wine out. They look so impressive as an emergency snacks like these Apple Cinnamon Twists or Spicy Cocoa Mixed Nuts.
• You can make these using your favourite brand of sausages and add the spice to your liking. 
• You can make these using ingredients from your food cupboard or freezer, ensuring you always have what you need in stock.
• Healthier than shop bought sausage rolls - You can even add vegetables of your choice if you like.

Ingredients needed for Spicy Sausage Rolls

Puff Pastry - I used ready rolled Puff Pastry to make sure it is evenly rolled. This is quite a lot of sausage mix for one sheet of puff pastry but I like my sausage rolls to feel well stuffed rather than too much pastry.

Sausages - We use Heck 97% Pork Sausages but this recipe works well with many other types of pork sausage. Try to aim for at least 70% pork for the quality. You can use pork mince if you only have this but I do find that sausage meat has more flavour.

Lentils - Puy Lentils work brilliantly in this recipe. Either canned lentils or vacuum packed are fine, as long as they are already cooked.

Onion - A small white onion or shallots, finely chopped.

Herbs - If you are using herby sausages or strong tasting sausage meat, you won't need many herbs. I used dried parsley as this goes really well with pork and lentils.

Chilli - I had a fresh red chilli so used this cut really finely. I discarded the seeds as the children were eating the sausage rolls but next time, I may decided to include them. If you do not have a fresh chilli, 1tsp mild chilli powder is a great substitution as are red pepper flakes fro extra flavour.

Garlic - I used garlic powder as we always have this available.

Salt & Pepper - I only use a tiny amount of salt but am really quite liberal with the black pepper.

Egg - One whisked egg is needed for sealing the pastry and again for egg wash on top of the sausage rolls. If you do not have an egg, a splash of milk will do just as well.

Sesame Seeds - optional but make them look great and add an extra crunch.

Equipment needed

2 oven trays lined with baking parchment paper - These sausage rolls do puff up so you need to have enough space on the trays for them to expand.

Pizza wheel - My days of cutting pastry with a sharp knife are over, you cannot beat the clean cut of a pizza wheel!

Method for making this Sausage Roll Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line both of the baking sheet with baking parchment. Cut the onion finely and saute gently in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

2. When the onions start to soften add the finely chopped chilli and garlic. Leave to cool until just about room temperature.

3. Remove the skins from the sausages by cutting down one side

4. Mash the sausage mixture and add the salt and pepper.

5. Add the cooled chopped onion, chilli and garlic mixture with the parsley and the lentils, into a mixing bowl and combine with a fork until well mixed. (You will see that I used a too small bowl in the picture).

6. Roll out the puff pastry sheet and cut into 2 long strips (This is where your pizza wheel comes in).

7. Using your hands, make long sausage shapes with the sausage mixture and place on each piece of the sheets of puff pastry. Leave a little bit of room near the pastry edges.

8. Brush your beaten egg mixture down the narrow edge of the pastry strip and fold the pastry over the top of the sausage filling.

9. Flatten down the edges of the pastry with a fork to make sure the mixture is completely sealed in. Cut each long sausage roll into 6 sausage rolls - If you prefer larger rolls, cut into 4.

10. Place on your prepared baking tray and prick the top of each of your delicious sausage rolls with a fork to allow the steam to escape when cooking.

11.  Brush the pastry with the remaining egg mixture and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

12. Bake for 25-35 minutes until you have golden brown buttery puff pastry sausage rolls. Leave to cool slightly (Can be eaten warm but don't burn your mouth).

Can I Freeze Homemade Sausage Rolls?

You can freeze homemade sausage rolls, either uncooked or pre-baked, in an airtight container.

How do you reheat frozen cooked sausage rolls?

Uncooked sausage rolls can be baked from frozen (35-45 minutes at 180C).

Defrost pre-baked sausage rolls and reheat for another 5 minutes in the oven or 2-3 minutes in the Air Fryer.

Where should I store my homemade sausage rolls?

For food hygiene reasons and to stop food bacteria from multiplying, you should be storing your pre-baked sausage rolls in the fridge if you are not eating straightaway. 

If you want to re-crisp the pastry on your homemade sausage rolls, you can pop back into the oven for 5 minutes or Air Fryer for 2-3 minutes.

Why are my homemade sausage rolls soggy?

You may not have warmed up your oven enough or make not have left enough room inbetween your sausage rolls when baking. The air needs to circulate to prevent soggy bottoms.

Barefoot Wines

I am very pleased to have joined up with Barefoot Wines in producing this recipe.

The experts at Barefoot suggest the most appropriate pairing is the rich, dark and full-bodied Barefoot Merlot. 

The robust and velvety notes of Barefoot Merlot beautifully complement the hearty flavours of Spicy Lentil Sausage Rolls. The wine's smooth tannins elegantly intertwine with the spiciness of the lentil filling, creating a harmonious balance on the palate. With its rich dark fruit aromas and subtle hints of oak, Barefoot Merlot enhances the savoury elements of the dish, elevating the dining experience to new heights.

This pairing is a testament to the versatility of Merlot, proving it to be the perfect companion for indulgent, flavourful dishes like Spicy Lentil Sausage Rolls.

Barefoot Wines started in California back in 1965 by Bynum Burgundy, using the free-spirited method of crushing grapes barefoot. Today, the Barefoot brand totals more than 16 wines here in the UK and operate in six continents around the world, making them one of the world’s most recognised wine brands.

The brands' values include don't stop believing the world can be a better place - Barefoot are proud to have been making wine fun and quirky for over 50 years!

Other Savoury Bakes You May Enjoy

Bacon, Mushroom and Basil Savoury Muffins

Mushroom and Walnut Palmiers

Bacon, Onion and Basil Quiche

Cheese and Bacon Scones

Hazelnut Ficelles

Other Pastry Bakes You Might Like To Try

Apple Pie Cupcakes

Apple and Passion Fruit Puffs

Roasted Red Onion and Tomato Tartlets

Pecan and Almond Baklava

Apple and Cinnamon Palmiers