Pesto Cheese Puff Pastries

I got this recipe about a year and a half ago when I was selling Pampered Chef. Every time I have ever made this - they have been a HUGE hit. Everyone loves them. I always get asked for the recipe and there are never any left - the plate is clean every time I make them!

I'm getting ready for the Gender Reveal Party tomorrow (woo hoo) and am getting my recipes and shopping list together and this one was a no brainer. Since I was thinking about it, I'd thought I would share it with all of you.

Remember: This is not a personal recipe it is from Pampered Chef.

Ingredients:

• 1 box frozen Puff Pastries (in frozen section, by pre-made pie crusts)
• 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1 ounce grated Parmesan Cheese
• 2 Tbsp prepared Basil Pesto (buy the kind in the square looking jar, it's usually on the very top shelf by the spaghetti sauce - it's way better than the other kinds (sorry, don't know brand but I think it has a red and gold label)
• 2 ounces thinly sliced deli ham

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Now, because I'm not trying to sell you anything - I'm going to tell you how I do it instead of how they tell you to make these.
3. You need the pastry to thaw out, just a little. Enough that the dough is pliable without tearing.
4. Put down some parchment paper and flour it just a tad. Put a little flour on your fingers while you un-fold the pastry dough.
5. With a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough.
6. Now, I buy the tub of sour cream and then just take a spreader of some sort and spread cream cheese over the entire dough.
7. Then I spoon out some of the pre-made pesto and smooth it out over all of the cream cheese.
8. Then, I take the deli ham and lay it flatly over the pesto. I over lap some pieces so that you can't see pesto through the ham.
9. Then, I take the tub of grated Parmesan (that you can find in the deli, not the kind in the green can), and sprinkle that (liberally) over all of the ham.
10. Then, I roll it up (and use the parchment paper to cover it up, and then I put it in the freezer for 20 minutes or so. You don't have to do this, but it makes it a lot easier to cut without all the goop running out PLUS when you cut it into slices - the slices actually look like the picture, and they are pretty.
11. Then, I put them on a baking stone or baking sheet and bake them for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown.
12. I go ahead and make up both sheets of puff pastry like this, because everyone loves them!

Enjoy!

Sausage balls

The day after Thanksgiving, we went over to my sister-in-laws house and we all brought appetizers and we had a really casual appetizer lunch. One of the things that my mom used to make, but I haven't had in a million years is sausage balls.

This is a really easy appetizer, in case you have any holiday parties to go to. It requires very few ingredients, little to know prep, and delcious results. Who can beat that?

Sausage Balls

• 1 pound of ground pork sausage (such a Jimmy Dean's)
• 2 cups of Bisquick
• 1 bag of finely shredded cheddar cheese (I use mild)

This is the easiest part... Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and then just take (thawed) sausage and put it in a large mixing bowl. Then add the Bisquick. When you get it completely combined, add a little salt, ground black pepper and garlic power and mix until the seasonings are combined. Then, add the cheese a little at a time and mix until combined. Roll into balls and placed on a baking sheet that you've lined with parchment paper. Bake 18-20 minutes.

It's as easy as that! Just make sure that you break one of the balls open and check to make sure that the sausage is cooked all the way through. If it is, the others should be fine! Just let them cool and then you can pack them away in a tupperware!

These are always a big hit - wherever I take them. Hope you and your family and/or friends enjoy them as well!

Favorite Ingredient Friday - Appetizers & Snacks Edition (Cheesy Bacon Dip)

Cheesy Bacon Dip

I can't tell you that this is healthy, but I can tell you that it's delicious!!

Ingredients:

• 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 garlic clove, pressed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled
• 1 large tomato, seeded and diced, divided
• ½ cup sliced green onions with tops, divided
• Cocktail bread slices or crackers (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In medium bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and garlic; whisk until smooth.
3. Add cheddar cheese, bacon, half of the tomato and half of the green onions to cream cheese mixture; mix well.
4. Spoon into 8 x8 casserole dish.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
6. Top with remaining tomato and green onions.

Serve with cocktail bread slices or crackers, if desired.

Enjoy!