Recipe(tried): Melissa - boxing party ideas

Hi Melissa - Here are a couple of recipes that are a little different but good for a casual get together. You can add some spiced nuts, flavored
popcorn, veggies and ranch dip, and some cookies or brownies to round out your menu (do a search on this site for spiced nuts and popcorn - there are quite a few good ideas already posted!).

Creamy Chicken & Jalapeno Nachos
From “The Silver Palate Goodtimes Cookbook” - make ahead and bake at serving time.
Makes 72 nacho wedges.

1 whole (2 breast halves) boneless, skinless
chicken breast, poached , and diced or shredded
12 oz cream cheese, room temperature
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
3 TBL finely cholpped red onion
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1-1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
salt & pepper to taste
6 medium-size pita, each cut and separated
into 2 rounds

Combine all the ingedients except the pita
bread in a large bowl and beat with an
electric mixer until blended.

Spread each pita round with one-twelfth of
the filling. Place on cookie sheets and bake
at 375F until puffed and bubbling, 5 to 7
minutes. Immediately cut each into 6
wedges and serve in a napkin-lined basket.Sausage Roll
This one has been a family favorite for a very
long time, and I’m not sure where the recipe
came from. Again, assemble ahead, wrap
and refrigerate until time to serve.

1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1 tablespoon oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1-1/2 pounds Italian sausage (sweet, or a
mix of sweet and hot), loose or removed
from casings
1 tsp dried oregano or basil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 egg
8 oz. thinly-sliced or grated mozzerella
cheese
1 egg white

Saute onion in oil until translucent and
beginning to color. Stir in garlic and cook
for another minute or two. Remove to a
bowl. Add crumbled sasuage meat and
brown very well. Remove to plate lined with
paper towels and press out as much excess
fat as possible. Allow to cool slightly and
then add to bowl with herbs, whole egg, and
parmesan, and mix well.

Roll out bread dough to a rectangle about
17” x 13”. Spread meat mixture on top to
within 1” of edges, and top with mozzerella
cheese. Roll up from the long side,
dampening the edge and ends with a little
water and sealing well. Place on a baking
sheet with seam side down. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator if it isn’t
going to be cooked within an hour.

Preheat oven to 350F. Just before baking,
brush dough with egg white, and bake until
brown and crusty, about 1/2 hour.

Allow to rest 10 minutes. Slice about an inch thick.

Hope you enjoy your party!