Found some reasonably good smoded sausage and Italian sausage at Bourbon Street Restaurant in Bangkok. Located on Sukumvit Soi 22. Actually a little off of that soi. The sausage is not smoked enough or spicey enough for me but the meat used is of good quality. Have not tried any of their other products.

Edited October 25, 200916 yr by kjun12

I love a good Italian sausage and I experienced the same as you with the Italian sausage I found here. Not enough zing, IMO, plus I haven't found a commercial product that uses fennel seed, a necessary ingredient, IMO.

So, I started making my own. Google: Italian sausage recipe.

This recipe is similar to what I use:

http://recipes.epicurean.com/recipe/358/italian-sausage.html

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground pork

3 1/2 teaspoons paprika

2/3 teaspoon garlic powder (I use fresh garlic)

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon fennel seed (I use about a tablespoon)

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Optional: 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

(I also add a tablespoon or so of Italian seasoning, olive oil and 4 ounces of red wine)

Directions:

Make a couple of hours before using to blend flavors. Combine all ingredients well. (I do use the red pepper flakes.) Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (I let it "cure" in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, sometimes have I let it "cure" for 60 hours). If using for pizza, crumble and partially cook before putting on top of pizza. May also make into small patties and cook in skillet until cooked through.

Main thing is, be creative and experiment with the amounts of ingredients you use.