Sausage Rolls

I made this for dinner last night - what a hit! I loved these as a child and I still do!  My children are lucky enough to have these made for them on a semi regular basis.  They are best served hot with loads of tomato sauce - yum!

You will notice that I add grated veggies to my sausage rolls.  I have two reasons for this, one is to help my kids eat their daily dose of vegetables, the other reason: I often find sausage rolls heavy in my tummy.  Vegetables lighten them and you can eat more!

These are a must at any child's party in Australia.  These aren't available in America and Canada so my North American friends may be unfamiliar with them.  This recipe will give you a chance to enjoy something Aussie (I must admit they are are also popular in New Zealand and the UK).

This recipe will give you about 36 "mini" sausage rolls.  I always make them smaller as they cook faster!

6 sheets of frozen puff pastry - thawed
500g (just over a pound) sausage meat (for my North American friends, use breakfast sausage meat, not Italian sausage meat).
200g good quality minced beef (just under a pound)
1 small potato, peeled, grated and any juice squeezed out
1 small carrot, grated
1 small onion, grated
1/2 small zucchini, grated
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 teaspoon dried sage powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Pre-heat your oven to 210oC (410oF) and line 2 or 3 baking trays (cookie trays) with baking paper.
In a bowl combine all the ingredients except the pastry.  Mix well to combine (I use my hands).
Lay each piece of pastry down on your kitchen bench (keep the plastic that it lies on under it - this will be used to help you roll the sausage rolls a bit later).
Place equal portions of the meat mixture on each pastry slice.  Use your hands to form a "sausage" that runs from one end of pastry to the other.
The "sausage" should be right up against one edge of the pastry.
Roll the pastry up (like a jelly roll), using the pastries plastic to help you roll.  Pull the pastry off the plastic as you go.
Slice each roll into 4 or 6 equal pieces (use a serrated edged knife, so the filling doesn't come out upon cutting).
Place each slice onto your prepared trays, seam side down.  Spray all the sausage rolls with baking oil spray.
Place into the prepared oven and bake for 35-45 minutes OR until golden brown and they smell amazing.
Leave to cool on the trays for 5 - 10 minutes before serving.
Serve hot with plenty of tomato sauce.

Happy cooking!
Elizabeth x