christmas party foods & gifts - festive foods

Merry Christmas to you all!   I can't believe it is only 18 days away.  Where did the time go?  I think we are all stuck in some type of type warp during this Pandemic.   Making holidays snacks, treats, desserts, & appetizers seem to cheer me up.

Food gifts are great gifts for all ages!  We all love to eat!  You can keep your budget in tact with doing the nostalgic making gifts.  Whether it is cookies, candies, cakes, granola, or appetizers, they all make great gifts for friends, family, and co-worker's.   Especially for those hard to buy for folks.  Add a little special treat to their gift bag.   It will put a smile on their faces and their stomachs!  

You can add ribbon, and personal gift tags to dress up the treats!  

I will be so glad to get back to The Vine in person.   I miss my KTHV 11 family.   They have become special friends & family to me.    For now, we are continuing to do our segments via Zoom.   

For the Christmas segment, I wanted to add a little Christmas flare to my already famous sausage balls.  When I would take these to the studio, they would be gone in a flash.  We would have to guard them just to get the segment in before they disappeared.

The original recipe Southern Sausage Balls are for Southern Style Sausage Balls and you an find it under the Recipes Appetizer heading of the Blog.  Link is here as well.

For the Christmas parties, I thought would add a little Christmas flare to them.   Simply add in some sweet dried cranberries & pecans to your mix.   They are delicious and great for dipping.   Serve them hot or at room temperature.   Remember, I love to dip mine in Plum or Apricot Jam.  They are also good dipping them in an organic maple or raspberry syrup!   delish!

Here's the scoop on these:

• 1 package Mild or Regular Flavor Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose baking mix
• 8 ounces (2 cups) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 2 teaspoons of garlic pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped dried sweetened cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 Tablespoon of Sour Cream ---- or you can use milk - just enough to moisten - not sticky
  

Directions:

In large bowl, add in Sausage and break apart with your hands.    Add in the sharp cheddar cheese, garlic pepper, pecans & sweetened cranberries.   Then add in your baking mix.   Mix well.  I use my hands!

Stir in your sour cream or milk.   If using milk, just add in a little at a time.   You want to be moist but not sticky.  If sticky, add in more baking mix.

Using your hands - form mixture into a ball.     You should get about 12 balls from the 1 pound of sausage.

PREHEAT oven to 350 Degrees.   

Line cookie sheet with liner.  HOWEVER, be sure and spray liner with Pam Spray.    You don't want the sausage balls to stick to the liner.   They will stick.

Place the balls on the sheet as if you were baking cookies.  Spread them 1-2 inches apart.

Bake at 350 Degrees for about 30-32 minutes.  Remember:  Oven times vary.  Be sure and check to make sure they are golden brown and the inside not pink.    Let cool and enjoy!  Don't forget to dip them!

Make sure and refrigerate the others.  

HINT:   The sausage balls form better if you roll them the night before, cover and place in fridge for next day to cook!

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