Food: Italian Sausage Rolls

In case you haven't noticed, the majority of my cooking efforts result in some kind of sweet treat. But, when I do actually buckle down and cook something "real" it almost always involves Italian sausage, pretty much my favorite thing next to chocolate, I really can't get enough. This recipe is inspired by my favorite Italian place, Jojo's pizza and their delicious sausage role. This version is a lot cheaper and healthier and did I mention DELICIOUS? Don't worry Jojo's this can't beat the real thing, but at least I'll tide myself over until my next visit.



Italian Sausage Rolls
Recipe by Desiree Roughton

Ingredients
*4 fully cooked Italian sausage links (suggested: Jenne-O Turkey Italian Sausage)
*1 tube reduced fat crescent roll dough
*Dipping sauce, I suggest a nice tomato alfredo especially if you get it from Fresh & Easy but a nice marinara would work as well
*Optional: dry Italian seasonings, garlic powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Cut each sausage link horizontally in half so you have 8 short pieces.

Roll out crescent dough and sprinkle with Italian seasonings and/or garlic powder.



Roll each sausage piece in one crescent and seal dough with fingers.



Place on cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 min or until dough is golden brown. Make sure to check that dough is cooked all the way through.





Serve with tomato alfredo.



Enjoy!

Food: Pizza Pinwheels

I was inspired to look into crescent roll recipes when I got a good coupon to buy some. The Pillsbury pizza pinwheels caught my eye. I revamped the recipe and the results were delightful.



Pizza Pinwheels
By Desiree Roughton

Ingredients:
*1 package garlic crescent rolls
* oz. cream cheese (softened)
*1/2 c. grated mozzarella cheese
*2 Italian sausage links
(cooked and diced or removed from casing and browned in pan)
*1/2 c. finely diced pepperoni
*Marinara sauce for dipping

Directions:

Makes 20 pinwheels.

Preheat oven to 350.

Divide crescent rolls into 4 rectangles. Use fingers to seal diagonal perforation in each block.

Mix together cream cheese, mozzarella, sausage, and pepperoni to create filling.

Equally spread filling on all 4 crescent rectangles. Roll up rectangles to create one large roll. Slice each roll into 5 pinwheels and place on cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes on UNLINED baking sheets.

Serve with marinara for dipping.

Ingredients can be adjusted to your taste. Most toppings will work as long as they are chopped fairly fine.

Enjoy!