Some years ago I had a chance to watch Bruce Aidells make sausage, and being the chatty guy he is, he carefully explained everything he was doing and why he was doing it. He never mentioned poking holes in the casing, and, based on what I know of Mr. Aidells, were this a technique of some value, he'd probably have mentioned it.
I'm far from expert on the subject of making sausage, however, I completely agree with oldschool on this point.
shel |