SaS - Let's Party!

It's Thursday (already!) and that means it's Share a Spoon time with the Momma...Think Tank Momma that is. And today's theme is in honor of all the holiday parties that will be starting up very soon. Hor d'oeuvres!!  I'll be hosting one in just a few weeks, so I'm hoping everyone will join SaS this week and give me some ideas!!!

One thing that I know will be on the menu is SAUSAGE BALLS! These are a family favorite, and only make an appearance at Christmas. I'm not sure why, b/c some people make them year round, but it was always a Christmas thang when I was growing up, and that's the way I've kept it. Christmas in my house means sausage balls, fudge, and Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation :D  What?!

{Another of my favorite hor d'oeuvres (or as we call them - "or doovers") is shrimp wrapped in bacon. HOLLA! Nothin' better than some scrimps wrapped in some good ole fat bacon! Am I the only person over the age of 10 that can NOT spell "hor d'oeuvres"?  I have to look it up every time!}

For sausage balls, I found this helpful picture tutorial, b/c I guess there might be someone out there who has never had/made sausage balls. I can't imagine this, but anything is possible.

Sausage Balls

4 cups sharp cheddar cheese
1 lb. breakfast sausage
1 1/2-2 cups Heart Healthy Bisquick

Notes: My personal preferences for sausage balls is to combine extra sharp and sharp cheddar cheese. Also, I prefer to use Jimmy Dean brand sausage b/c it does not produce a lot of grease. I use 1/2 lb. hot and  1/2 lb regular when I make these.  Some people add pepper/cayenne/hot sauce, but I don't.  My family can't take much heat.

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix the sausage (uncooked) and cheese together in a large bowl, then add in enough Bisquick to bind it all together.  If you like a lot of biscuit flavor, use more Bisquick, if you like more of the sausage/cheese flavor to come through, use less.  I usually use between 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups Bisquick. Once it is mixed all together (a good mixer with a dough hook is great for this) then roll into bite size balls.  Mine pictured were a little large. Keep in mind they will rise a little while baking.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.

The great thing about these is that you can roll them up and freeze them (uncooked), then just pop the frozen balls into the oven for about 25 minutes.  Make sure that you freeze them separately on a cookie sheet, then once frozen you can dump them together into a container, freezer bag, etc.  My plan is to go ahead and make up a bunch and stick them in the freezer, so they are ready whenever I want them.

Nothing fancy, but these are my faves.  What are yours?  Head over to Think Tank Momma to link up and check out the other recipes.  While you're there, she has a giveaway going on for some precious Snowman Measuring Spoons, and you get extra entries for participating in SaS!  It's a win-win!