Sausage Roll

Yum! This is a great appetizer or fun meal to make. I have no idea where my mom got the recipe, but it's simple and delicious!

Sausage Roll

1 loaf of bread dough- I use bread machine box mix, Krusteaz brand, Italian Herb or Sourdough

1 lb of ground pork sausage

2 cups shredded mozzarella or italian cheeses

Marinara sauce (for dipping)

1.Prepare bread dough, if using a bread machine mix, I follow the traditional bread instructions instead of putting it in a bread machine.

2.When dough is close to done rising, go ahead and brown the ground pork sausage in a large skillet over medium high heat until cooked, drain grease.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out prepared bread dough into a large oval

4. Sprinkle 1 c. of the shredded cheese onto the rolled out bread dough

5. Spread out the browned ground pork on top of the cheese, and sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese on top of the pork. Layer: cheese, pork, cheese.

6. Begin to roll the dough (like cinnamon rolls or a jelly roll), tucking/folding in the ends so the filling is all enclosed

7. Bake @ 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let cool 5-10 minutes before cutting/slicing (I recommend cutting with a bread knife if you have one). Serve with marinara sauce to dip. If making a meal out of it, serve with salad.

Homemade Salsa and Guacamole

You know what's ironic about my sharing this recipe?  Although I am a hispanic from South Texas, I got these recipes from a white lady in Arkansas!  I thought I'd share these just in time for the Super Bowl, if you need classic party food ideas. You'll need a food processor or blender for this.  This recipe makes around 36-48 ounces of salsa (I've never actually measured it)... but it keeps well in the fridge (it gets hotter the longer it sits), and I always make fresh guacamole with the salsa.  Enjoy!

~Leah


Salsa
purple onion (about 1/2), peeled and cut into quarters
garlic (fresh 1 clove diced or 1 tsp minced/jarred)
handful fresh cilantro - stems and all
1/2 lime (juice only)
1 tsp salt
small can (4 oz.) diced green chiles, undrained -- I use "mild"
large can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 Tblsp. jalapeno (jarred) OR 1 fresh -- I use fresh, chopped, and I only put half the seeds in - the seeds are what gives it it's "hotness" - it makes it a notch above mild, which is how I like it.  You should put as many or as little seeds as you prefer.

In the order listed above, add each ingredient to the food processor and chop.  Voila!


Guacamole
4 avocadoes
Lawry's seasoning salt (or jalapeno salt, in Mexican spice section)
1/2 lime
salsa from previous recipe

Mash the avocadoes with a fork in a shallow bowl.  Put in several generous spoonfuls of the salsa and stir, until it "looks about right."  Squeeze in 1/2 lime, and season with salt.  Voila!