Christmas Appetizer: Sausage Stars
Great Party Food: Wonton Wraps and Sausages Make Simple Appy
Dec 18, 2008
Even though creating a meal for the big occasion can seem like a daunting task, don’t worry! There are several quick, easy and memorable recipes and ideas to use at your family get-together.
First, make dishes that aren’t overwhelming – keeping you in the kitchen all day. Rather make an easy meal that allows you to keep the reason behind the holidays at the forefront – instead of spending this important time of year worrying about whether or not your beef tenderloin will turn out as you had hoped.
Next create a theme for your menu – using traditional Christmas songs perhaps, by naming your dish, “Deck the Halls Sausage Balls” or one of my favorites, “Oh Holy Night Cheesy Bites” or “Jingle Bell Beef Wellington.” Whatever your dish, tack a song onto it just for the fun of it, and the kids will love it just because of the fun name!
Also, sweets are great this time of year and quite associated with the holiday, but keep in mind that the holidays can overwhelm folks that don’t tolerate sweets too well. Be mindful of your diabetic uncles or your grandma who can’t stomach the thought of one more piece of fudge or peanut brittle.
Last, but not least, remember to pull in a few fun, family traditions into the mix. Allow the kids to help with making a few appetizers, and incorporate family stories and carol singing into the mealtime preparation.
Christmas only comes once a year, so make the most of time with family. Here is an appetizer to start things off.
Sausage Stars
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (1 1b.) cooked sausage, crumbled
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 ½ cups Monterey jack cheese, grated
- 1 cup bottled Ranch Dressing
- 1 (4 ounce) can chopped ripe olives
- ½ cup red or green bell pepper, chopped small
- 1 package fresh or frozen wonton wrappers (or egg roll wrappers, cut into fourths)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350. Blot cooked sausage dry with paper towels and combine with Ranch Dressing, olives, peppers, and cheeses.
- Press wonton wrappers in muffin tins so they form “stars.” Bake 5 minutes until golden. Remove from tins and place on baking sheet. (These can be baked the night before and covered with wrap, ready to be filled the next morning).
- Fill baked wontons with sausage mixture. Bake 5 minutes until bubbly. Makes 4-5 dozen. (Note: Sausage mixture may be made the night before and refrigerated before being used to fill the wonton “stars.”)
For the main course, try out these recipes with a Christmas-theme: Angel Biscuits, Gingerbread, Rudolph the Red Mashed Potatoes, and Red and Green Talarini.
Make your Christmas meal complete with these festive desserts: Chocolate Cinnamon Cake, Glass Candy and Molasses Cookies.
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