CHRISTMAS MORNING BREAKFAST

Christmas morning breakfast should be special and easy to put together—no one wants to be trapped in the kitchen cooking while everyone else is opening presents! I’m always sure to make something ahead of time that can be thrown in the oven so I don’t miss one tear of wrapping paper.

SAUSAGE PINWHEELS

2 cups all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, very cold

1 cup buttermilk

½ pound ground mild pork sausage

½ pound ground hot pork sausage

Makes 2 dozen pinwheels

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Put the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in the food processor. Pulse several times to mix. Cut the butter into small cubes before dropping into the food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the buttermilk and pulse until the dough just comes together. Dump onto a floured board, and knead for a minute or two. Using a rolling pin roll into a 14 × 10-inch rectangle about ¼-inch thick.

3. In a large bowl mix the mild and hot sausage with your hands until just combined. Spread the sausage over rolled-out dough to within ½ inch of the edges. Roll the dough lengthwise to form a long roll. Using a serrated knife cut dough into ½-inch–thick slices.

4. Place the pinwheels on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the sausage is cooked through. Drain off any juices. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MAKE IT AHEAD: Place uncooked pinwheels in a freezer bag, separated by parchment paper, and freeze. Freeze for up to three months. When ready to bake, place the frozen pinwheels on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

SAUSAGE CHEESE BALLS

3 cups baking mix, such as Bisquick

½ pound ground mild pork sausage

½ pound ground hot pork sausage

4 cups grated Cheddar cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

¾ cup milk

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped

Makes 4 dozen balls

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl mix together baking mix, mild and hot sausage, Cheddar, Parmesan, milk, and rosemary with your hands or a spoon. Using an ice cream scoop, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.

3. Place the sausage balls on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the sausage is cooked through. Serve warm or at room temperature.