Merguez, Pistachio and Date Sausage Rolls

I love a good sausage roll and at this time of year, they are a great party food and crowd pleaser. There are so many variations, from pigs-in-blanket sausage rolls, to using a mix of meats like pork and duck. For these tasty little treats, I have got hold of some amazing Merguez Sausages. You don’t see them everywhere so buy them immediately if you see them! They are a north African sausage, usually made with lamb and loads of spices, which gives them their distinct red flavour. They are really aromatic, spicy and delicious and I could eat them all day long. You can make your own, if you can’t find them anywhere but look carefully in food shops or online and you will be rewarded with these bright red bundles of flavour.

To make these sausage rolls, take 4-6 merguez sausages and squeeze the meat out of the casings into a bowl. Add a handful of chopped dates and the same of crushed pistachios and mix well. Take a pack of ready-made puff pasty and cut it in the middle lengthways, giving you the base and top for your sausage rolls. Arrange the sausage meat down the middle of one piece and brush around the edges with beaten egg. Lay the other pastry sheet over the top and press down at the bottom to seal. Brush all over with beaten egg and transfer to a baking tray in a pre-heated oven at 200º for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool and cut into the size you require.

This goes very well with a little sauce made from a few tablespoons of fresh yoghurt, a teaspoon or two of tahini and some lemon juice, mixed up well and seasoned with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!