Mini Jalapeno Popper Crescents!

These "Mini Jalapeno Popper Crescents" are a yummy little appetizer you can put together with a few ingredients you probably usually have on hand.   These can also be made up earlier in the day and refrigerated on a cookie sheet until ready to bake so they are perfect for parties.  These would be so good for your Super Bowl party!

 Here is what you need:

1 (8 oz,) can refrigerated crescent rolls

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1/3 cup pickled jalapeno rings, diced

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

5 strips of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Separate the crescent rolls into the precut triangles then cut each triangle in half lengthwise.

I a bowl mix the cream cheese, diced jalapenos, and garlic powder.  Place the dough on a sheet pan covered with nonstick foil or you could use parchment paper.  Spoon about a Tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture on the widest part of the dough.  Sprinkle each one with some of the crumbled bacon.  Sort of press the bacon into the cream cheese.

Roll up like you would a crescent roll.  Bake in a 375 degree oven on the center rack for 13 -15 minutes or just until golden brown! This makes 16 appetizers.  For bigger parties, you can easily double the recipe!

These are so tasty, hot right out of the oven!  Make plenty because they will go fast!

Game Day Chili!

This is my "Game Day Chili"!  It's a chili that has beef and beans in it and a bit of a kick also!  This chili is for those who like it spicy!  I know the whole debate over chili with or without beans.  Some areas don't think it's chili if it has beans in it.  Other areas wouldn't think it was right without the beans.   This is Kentucky so if you can add a bean to something, 9 out of 10 times, we will.  We just really like our beans here.

 A big pot of this chili will feed a crowd and it's perfect to have when people are coming over to watch the big game.   This chili also just gets better the next day!

Here is what you will need:

2 lbs. ground chuck

1 medium onion, diced

1 medium green bell pepper, diced

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced

2 (14.5 oz.) cans chili ready tomatoes (I used the Red Gold brand)

1 (10.5 oz.) can Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chillies

1 (15 oz.) can of tomato sauce

2 (15 oz.) cans of chili beans

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. Creole seasoning ( I use Tony Chachere)

1 Tbs. chili powder

2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. hot sauce ( I used Tabasco)

1/4 cup brown sugar

4 cups water

In a large Dutch oven, brown the ground chuck with the onions, bell peppers and jalapeno peppers to just soften them.  Drain any excess grease.  

Add all of the rest of the ingredients and stir to mix.  The Red Gold chili ready tomatoes have some chili seasoning in them, so they add to the flavor of this chili. If you use regular diced tomatoes, you might need a touch more chili powder and cumin.   Season it to your taste.

 If you wonder about the brown sugar in this recipe, I always add sugar to tomato based recipes to cut the acidity.  Just a tad, makes the flavor so much better.

Bring up to a boil and boil for a minute or two. Reduce the heat to medium low and cover.   Cook for at least an hour.  Stir during this time to prevent sticking.  It's best if you turn to low and cook for another hour.   The longer it has to just simmer on very low heat on the stove, the better it gets.  

Serve with whatever toppings you like on the side.  I like a little shredded cheese.  Sour cream, additional jalapenos, or some diced onion are also good!  

Baked Italian Sandwich!

This is a delicious hot sandwich you layer and then bake in the oven.  It's excellent served with soups or just with chips or a salad for lunch!  You can also cut this in smaller squares and serve it as a party appetizer!  This would be a great Super Bowl Party recipe!   You can even double it and place it in a 9"x13" baking pan for a larger crowd!  We really loved this! 

 Here is what you will need:

1 can refrigerated crescent rolls (I used Pillsbury)

1/2 lb. deli turkey sliced thin

1/2 lb. deli ham sliced thin

8 oz. pepperoni slices

8 slices Provolone or Swiss Cheese

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese, divided

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp. Greek seasoning or Italian seasoning (I used Greek)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9"x9" baking dish with nonstick spray.  Open the crescent rolls and separate into two squares. Place one in the bottom of the baking dish, pressing the cuts in the rolls together and spreading to the sides of the dish.  It should be about the right size.

Layer half the turkey, half the ham, half the pepperoni slices and 4 slices of the cheese on top of the dough.  Sprinkle with half the Parmesan or Romano cheese.

In a bowl beat the eggs and the Greek or Italian seasoning together.  Pour half of this mixture over the first layers.  Continue to layer the rest of the turkey, ham, pepperoni and 4 slices of the cheese.  Cover with the other half of the crescent roll dough.  Pour the rest of the beaten egg mixture over the top.  Sprinkle the top with the rest of the Parmesan or Romano cheese.  Cover tightly with foil and place in the oven for 30 minutes. 

 Uncover and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until lightly brown on top. Remove from oven and allow to set for about 10 minutes!

Cut down the middle and then across three times to make six servings.  If you are serving this for an appetizer, cut each serving in half again!  Serve warm! 

These are so delicious and you can substitute other sandwich ingredients you like or have on hand...salami or roast beef would be great!