Mozzarella Sausage Balls

I pulled this recipe from a Sorrento cheese package. The question you have to ask your self is do you want this for breakfast or appetizer? They could either way…

When I first looked at this recipe, I thought breakfast on the go for the kids. The more I thought about it, the idea of Sunday brunch with eggs, fresh fruit, and waffles had my mouth watering.

I just pulled a batch from the oven and appetizer for New Year’s party is popping in my head…

I made the balls about 2.5 inches, since I am going to use them for breakfast. The recipe calls for 1-inch balls, which would be great if serving as appetizers.

I went ahead and tried one ball and it was so good, I snuck a second one. The prep on these is super simple. I would say start to table about half hour.

If you make the larger ball, adjust your time, I cooked mine for 18 minutes. The tops were golden and the bottom was just getting a bit of “crust” on them. The recipe also suggests baking on a greased cookie sheet. I was worried about the grease from the pan and balls becoming too much. I placed mine instead on parchment paper. I was surprised by the lack of grease that came out of these… yippee not overly  greasy.  This means you won’t have to worry too much if they get dropped on the floor during a party!

Since I did not have all the mozzarella needed, I mixed in about ½ cup Italian blend of cheese. I also used shredded cheese instead of dicing a block into pieces  

Ingredients:

1 lb. breakfast sausage, recipe calls for hot but you can any variety you want.

16 oz Mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 egg, beaten

1 cup of biscuit mix, I used Bisquick

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until well blended

Form into 1” balls, place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper

Bake for 10-18 minutes or until deep golden brown and cooked through

Fried Apples…

I love fried apples, but do not make them every often. This way it keeps a special food, like at the holidays. I was unable to locate my grandmother’s exact recipe, and with the help of my aunt, I winged it. This comes close to what I remember.

 With fried apples, you can eat them alone, a side dish or even use them to top crêpes, blintz, oatmeal or pancakes.

Yes, you can make these in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker! See below...

If you wanted to make these like a true Southern cook,  replace the butter for bacon grease. I think this is actually how Grandma made hers. I would suggest if you use the bacon grease omit the salt.

Ingredients:

6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 dash of nutmeg

Directions:

In a large skillet, melt butter. Arrange apples evenly over skillet bottom. Add brown sugar, then salt. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 to 12 minutes until apples are tender. You do not want mushy apples, tender but not mushy. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Crock pot method:

Arrange apples in bottom of cooker, add sugar and spices. Place a pat of butter one top of each apple slice. Cook on low for 3 hours sitr gently, cook another 2 - 3 hours until soft but still tender.