Sweet & Savory Pinwheels

Simple Pinwheels

These are very tasty - I think they would be perfect to take to Sunday School or even as a holiday appetizer.  You can make these as sweet, savory or simple.  Hope you enjoy!

Simple Pinwheels
8 oz cream cheese
16 oz sausage
Salt & Pepper
1 can crescent roll dough

Cook sausage on the stove top until brown, season with salt & pepper & remove from the heat.  Mix cream cheese with the sausage.  Unroll the crescent roll dough onto a foil lined cookie sheet.  Crimp together all of the preferred edges to create one large piece.  Slice the dough in half length wise and spread mixture evenly over the 2 squares.  Roll the dough up like a jelly roll.  Wrap the dough in the foil and put in the freezer for 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Unwrap dough and slice into 1/4 inch pieces.  Bake on cookie sheet or pizza stone for 15-20 minutes (watch closely from the 15 minute point).  Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool for 5 - 10 minutes & serve.

Savory Pinwheels
8 oz  chive and onion cream cheese
16 oz sausage
1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme
Salt & Pepper
Several dashes of hot sauce
1 can crescent rolls

Follow the same instructions as above just also add the thyme & hot sauce to the sausage in addition to the Salt & Pepper.  I also think caramelized onions would be a wonderful addition.

Sweet Pinwheels
8 oz whipped cream cheese
16 oz sausage
1/2 Tbs Maple Syrup, plus extra for drizzle
1 can of crescent rolls

Follow the same instructions for the plain above, however add 1/2 Tablespoon of maple syrup to the sausage while cooking.   While pinwheels are cooling drizzle extra syrup over the them - reminds me of pancakes and sausage - yum!

First Tastes of Christmas and French Friday Cookies

Most weekends in December we start off either Saturday or Sunday with this Sausage and Jalapeno Casserole.  I came across its inspiration in a Southern Living years ago.  There was a large spread on holiday cocktail party ideas which included jalapeno bites (or something like that).  That recipe lead to this recipe & hope you enjoy!

Sausage Jalapeno Casserole
serves 4 or double for 8
6 oz sausage, cooked & crumbled
2 tbs diced jalapenos
3 eggs
1/3 cup 1/2 & 1/2
1/2 cup shredded Jack Cheese or Mexican Blend
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Salt & Pepper
Salsa & sour cream for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a pie plate sprayed with cooking spray add the sausage and jalapenos to the bottom of the dish, toss together and spread evenly.  Whisk together the eggs, 1/2 & 1/2, garlic powder, Salt & Pepper.  Cover the sausage and jalapenos with the egg mixture & top with cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes or until set. Serve with salsa and sour cream as optional toppings.

This week's French Fridays with Dorie I choose to make Speculoos. 

They are a gingerbread type cookie and they went over very well.  The dough was very fragile, and for some reason I froze it (don't ask).  I did decide to treat these more as a wafer rather than a cookie by cutting the dough into strips and made small rectangle treats (with  my pizza cutter - very easy).  I also topped my version with sparkling white sugar to add a little more sweetness to the spice.  Overall very yummy & perfect coffee or tea treat.

At this point I am almost completely decorated for Christmas.  We do multiple trees around here - 2 real and several fakes.  Here is a little tour of how things are looking so far...

Family Room

Family Room at night

Dining Room

Living Room

Our bedroom & our watch dogs

Breakfast Room Tree