Easy Vegan Sausage Gravy - gluten-free, nut-free, oil-free options

Ingredients

• 2 cups hot water
• 3/4 cup unroasted sunflower seeds
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground fennel
• 1 tsp olive oil (optional)
• 6 vegan sausage patties* (defrosted and small chopped)
• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spicy)