Spicy Sausage Queso
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Makes: 12 servings
INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces Jimmy Dean Premium Pork Sausage
Half a yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, minced
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
11⁄4 teaspoons cayenne
1 tablespoon cornstarch
11⁄2 cups half-and-half
1⁄2 package (4 ounces) cream cheese, softened
11⁄2 cups (12 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1 roma tomato, chopped
Tortilla chips
PREPARATION:
1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook over medium-high heat 8–10 minutes or until sausage is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently, then drain.
2. Add onion, garlic, jalapeño, kosher salt, and cayenne. Stir in cornstarch and
half-and-half. Heat until bubbles begin to appear at the edges of the pan, then whisk in cream cheese.
3. Gradually whisk in cheddar cheese, allowing cheese to fully melt before more cheese is added. Once queso is smooth and all the cheese is melted, stir in chopped tomatoes.
4. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
Sausage Jalapeño Poppers
Servings: 18
INGREDIENTS:
1 package Jimmy Dean Premium Pork Sausage
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1⁄4 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish 1⁄4 cup thinly sliced green onion, plus more for garnish 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
1⁄4 teaspoon onion powder
1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
18 jalapeño peppers
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
PREPARATION:
1. Preheat oven to 425oF (400oF for convection ovens).
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook over medium-high heat 8–10 minutes or until sausage is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently, then drain.
3. Combine together cream cheese, cilantro, scallions, lemon juice, lemon zest, kosher salt, onion powder, and garlic powder in a large bowl, mixing together until well blended. Set aside.
4. Cut off a third of each jalapeño lengthwise to create a deep boat. Scrape out seeds and membranes, then discard. Line up jalapeño boats on a parchment-lined sheet tray.
5. Fill cream cheese inside of each jalapeño. Stuff sausage on top of cream cheese.
6. Bake in oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and top each with a sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese. Return to oven and cook for 2–3 more minutes, until cheese is melted. Remove from oven.
7. Garnish with cilantro and green onions.
Sausage Pinwheels
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 13 minutes
Makes: 12 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 package Jimmy Dean Premium Pork Sausage
2 sheets of puff pastry, defrosted
2 cups (16 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 bunch of chives, finely chopped, plus a little more for garnish 1 egg, beaten
PREPARATION:
1. Preheat oven to 375oF (350oF for convection ovens).
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook over medium-high heat 8–10 minutes or until sausage is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently, then drain.
3. Lay out a sheet of puff pastry. Sprinkle pastry evenly with half of the mozzarella cheese. Spread out half the sausage, stopping an inch from the top of the pastry. Sprinkle half the chives evenly over sausage. Roll pastry, bottom to top, into a log. Brush egg in a line at the top of the pastry to seal. Cut into 6 pinwheels. Place pinwheels on a parchment-lined sheet tray. Brush the pastry with a little more egg. Repeat with the other sheet of puff pastry.
4. Bake for 13–15 minutes, until dough is golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.