Pan-Grilled Sausages with Apples and Onions (for MartianIceQueen)

Extremely popular & well reviewed at Epicurious - might be the most popular dish I found today, actually. I'm definitely trying this myself. Comments/suggestions include: fresh sausage much better choice than pre-cooked; chicken sausage a good, healthier substitution; cut down on sweetness by halving the amount of apple cider & adding half a cup of chicken broth; serve with potato pancakes; good with chorizo sausage; add cabbage.

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 fully cooked sausages (13 ounces total)
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 medium-size tart apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, sliced
• 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add sausages and cook until beginning to brown, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add onion and apple to sausages in pan; cook until onion and apple are tender and brown, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add apple cider and chopped sage; increase heat to high and stir until liquid is slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Stir in lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Using slotted spoon, transfer onion and apple to 2 plates, dividing equally. Top with sausages. Whisk remaining 2 tablespoons butter into cider mixture. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle over sausages and serve.