My Mom's (Jimmy Dean's) Twirls and Paula's Swirls

It's still Week 4 (Food) of Red Writing's Twelve Weeks of Christmas.

I'm back to post the recipe that Mom's Grandkids love to have all year, since Mom started making them at Christmas a few years ago. The recipe that she uses is

Jimmy Dean Sausage Twirls.

When I was looking for it, I found Paula Deen's Sausage Swirls.

They look the same, and probably taste about the same. I haven't tried Pauls's yet, but I know they will be good. They seem a lot easier to me, but nothing is too hard or tedious for Mom!

Jimmy Dean Sausage Twirls

Ingredients:

1. 1 pkg. Regular Flavor Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage

2. 2 cups biscuit mix

3. 1/2 cup milk

4. 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

5. 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped (optional) Mom doesn't put this in, just

in case the kids wouldn't like it. This is to make it Christmasy looking. Same

for the next item.)

6. 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped (optional)

Directions:

Combine biscuit mix, milk and butter in large bowl. Stir to blend well; regregerate dough for 30 minutes. Divide dough into 2 equal portions; roll one on a piece of parchment or waxed paper to a 1/8" thick rectangle about 10" x 7". Spread half the uncooked sausage evenly over the dough and top with half the peppers and onions, if desired. Roll lengthwise, into a long log. repeat the process with remaining ingredients. Wrap logs and place in freezer until very firm--about 1 hour. (or leave until whenever you are ready to use them) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut each log into 24 slices; place on non-stick baking sheets and bake 15 minutes or until golden brown. Logs may be prepared in advance and frozen until ready to bake. Thaw logs until just soft enough to slice and bake as directed.

Makes 48 apetizers.

Paula Deen's Sausage Swirls
28 swirls
Ingredients
2 (8 ounce) cans crescent roll dough

(the new kind that is one sheet,

instead of pre-cut)
1 lb bulk sausage

(jalopenos and cheddar cheese, optional)
Directions
1 If you do use the pre-cut dough, open dough and keeping in one piece as much as possible, place on a cookie sheet, unroll carefully, and pinch all the edges together. Do this for both cans of dough.
2 Open sausage, cut the roll in half, and spread half thinly over both pieces of dough.
3 Roll up the dough lengthwise. Place dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes until firm.
4 Preheat the oven to 375º.
5 Cut rolls into 1/2 inch to 1 inch pieces and place the swirls 1/2 inch apart on the cookie sheets.
6 Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown and sausage is thoroughly cooked.

I added the Mini Blinds recipe to my orginal post for this blog event. Remember to go to

http://redswriting.blogspot.com/2009/10/twoc-all-about-food.html

to read more recipes and join in on the fun.