Countdown to Christmas Day 1 Christmas Eve Goodies

Christmas Morning Sausage Rolls

2 8-oz. tubes of crescent rolls

1 lb. sausage, cooked and crumbled

1/2 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded

Separate tubes of rolls into 8 rectangles. Press diagonal seams together with a fork. Sprinkle rolls with sausage and cheese. Roll dough jelly-roll style. Slice rolls in half and place on cookie sheet, seam side down. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Makes 16 rolls.

Christmas Eve Soup

2 c. potatoes, peeled and diced

1/2 c. carrot, peeled and diced

1/2 c. celery, chopped

1/4 c. onion, chopped

2 c. water

1-1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

1 c. cooked ham, cubed

1/4 c. margarine

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

2 c. milk

8-oz. pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese

Combine vegetables, water, salt and pepper in a large soup pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until vegetables are tender. Stir in ham; set aside. In a separate saucepan, melt margarine; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes, until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted; add to vegetable mixture and heat through. Serves 8.

Cheddar Bacon Balls

6 slices bacon, chopped 8-oz. pkg. Cheddar cheese, cubed 1/4 c. butter, cubed 2 T. fresh parsley, chopped 2 T. green onions, chopped 2 T. hot banana pepper rings 1/4 c. toasted pecans, finely chopped assorted crackers

Cook bacon until crisp; drain, reserving one tablespoon drippings. In a blender or food processor, blend cheese, butter, parsley, green onions and pepper rings. Add bacon and reserved drippings; process until bacon is finely chopped. Chill mixture 3 hours, or until firm. Form mixture into one-inch balls. Roll balls in chopped pecans. Store in refrigerator up to 2 days before serving. Serve with crackers. Makes 2 dozen balls.

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Holiday Deviled Eggs

1 doz. eggs, hard-boiled and peeled 3 to 4 T. coleslaw dressing 1/8 to 1/4 t. garlic salt with parsley Garnish: paprika, snipped fresh chives

Slice eggs in half lengthwise; scoop yolks into a bowl. Arrange whites on a serving platter; set aside. Mash yolks well with a fork. Stir in dressing to desired consistency and add garlic salt to taste. Spoon or pipe yolk mixture into whites. Garnish as desired; chill. Makes 2 dozen.

Christmas Cocktail Sausages

1/2 c. butter 3 T. brown sugar, packed 3 T. honey 1/2 c. chopped pecans 8-oz. tube refrigerated crescent rolls, separated 24 smoked cocktail sausages

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. As oven is warming, melt butter in oven in a 13"x9" glass baking pan. When butter is melted, add brown sugar, honey and pecans; stir to coat bottom of the pan. Slice each crescent roll triangle into thirds. Roll each smaller triangle around one sausage. Place on butter mixture, seam-side down. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, or until golden. Makes 2 dozen.