Breakfast Sandwiches with Chile-Fennel Sausage Patties

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Make the sausage patties: Using a mortar and pestle, smash together the fennel seeds, oregano, and red pepper flakes. In a large bowl, combine the ground pork with the spice mixture, salt, and black pepper. Give the sausage a good mix, separate it into four equal portions, and shape them into patties. The patties should be just larger than the width of the English muffins, as they will shrink when cooked.

   Step 2

   Heat two large skillets, one over medium heat and the other over medium-low heat. Pour the olive oil into the first pan and, working in batches if necessary, fry the sausage patties for 5 minutes per side, or until crispy and cooked through. When you flip the patties, top each with cheese.

   Step 3

   Melt the butter in the second pan. Crack in the eggs, taking care to not break the yolks. Gently fry the eggs until the whites have set but the yolks are still nice and runny.

   Step 4

   While the eggs and sausage are cooking, spoon a heaping spoonful of the mayo onto each muffin half.

   Step 5

   To build each breakfast sandwich, lay a sausage patty, tomato slice, and fried egg on each English muffin bottom. Sprinkle each egg with a pinch of salt and black pepper, then top with a lettuce leaf and the other muffin half. Serve immediately.