Holiday Baking....Jalapeno's, Smokies and Peppermint Bars!

Stuffed Jalapeno's

Ingredients:
1 pound of sausage
20 jalapeno's
1 8oz block of cream cheese
red sweet chili sauce

Directions:
1. Cook sausage and drain
2. Remove stems from jalapeno's and slice into 2 halves, emptying the seeds
3. Combine cooked sausage and cream cheese
4. Add cream cheese mixture to inside of jalapeno's
5. Place on cookie sheet and drizzle sweet chili sauce on
6. Cook at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Ingredients:
2 package of little smokies
1 package of bacon 16(0z)
2 cups of brown sugar
1 stick of butter

Directions:
1. Foil line pan, I use a 9x13 cake pan because the mixture is liquidy
2. Cut bacon into 3rds, and wrapped pieces around smokies and place in pan
3. Melt butter and add almost all of brown sugar until mixed well
4. Spread butter mixture over smokies and add remaining brown sugar to top
5. Cook at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes until bacon is cooked


Peppermint Brownie Bars

Ingredients:
Family size box of fudge brownies
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
15 tbsp of butter....almost 2 sticks
1 1/2 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp peppermint extract
12oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
optional peppermint candies

Directions:
1. Foil line 9x13 brownie pan
2. Preheat oven as directed on box
3. Prepare brownies as directed on box
4.Beat powdered sugar, 7 tbsp of melted butter, cream and peppermint extract in large bowl with electric better until smooth, pour over cooled brownies and refrigerate for 10 minutes
5. After 30 minutes, microwave chocolate chips and 1 stick of butter in large bowl for 2 minutes. Stir until butter and chips are combined and completely melted.
6. Spread over chilled brownies.
7. Add candies or sprinkles as desired

Spinach Tomato Tortellini

Spinach Tomato Tortellini

Personally one of the better dinners I have made recently.

Ingredients:
1(20oz) pkg of three cheese tortellini...I found this with the canned biscuits at my grocery store
2 tbsp of butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp onion powder
1 1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 (14.5oz) can petite diced tomatoes(undrained)
1 1/2 cups(packed) chopped fresh spinach
3tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 tsp chopped oregano
salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste
shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Cook tortellini according to package directions
2. In large and deep saucepan, melt better over medium heat, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds then add flour and onion powder cooking for one more minute while constantly stirring. While whisking slowly pour in milk and cream until smooth.
3. Cook until mixture begins to simmer, then add tomatoes, spinach, basil and oregano. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Cook several more minutes till sauce has thickened and spinach has wilted. Add parmesan cheese as desired and warm until melted, then remove from heat.
4. Toss cooked and drained tortellini with sauce mixture.