Christmas Salad

I first ate this beautiful salad at a women's Christmas brunch at church & I was blown away. It was like a bruschetta, served on toasted baguettes..

Yummo. The combo of avocado, orange, pomegranate, cilantro..amazing flavor & a totally beautiful sight. 

This Christmas, I made a salad version for our family Christmas dinner & it was a keeper for sure.... 

First, begin with...

Orange vinaigrette: 

3T olive oil

1T Juice from an orange

3/4 t dijon

1 tsp honey

Kosher salt (good pinch)

Fresh cracked pepper

Next, prepare the other ingredients to toss in...

2 heads of Romaine lettuce

1 pomegranate, slice in half. Hammer back of pomegranate to drop seeds out. Be careful of bright, staining juice. Rinse seeds.

2 Avocados, diced

1/3 Cilantro bundle, chopped

1-2 Cutie Clementines, peeled & diced, 1/2 mixed into vinaigrette

1 small block of Gouda (4 oz.), diced. Any other mild, creamy, white cheese will do too.

Toss just minutes before...and enjoy! 

Overnight Egg Casserole

I'm letting you in on a little Smith family tradition. This egg casserole reminds me of waking up on Christmas morning at my grandparent's house in Chicago. When I taste it, it takes me right back there...but if you've never had it, you'll be sold in the first bite & nibbling the crispy edges until it's put away. The sage sausage, english muffins, cheese...just trust me & do it ok? Besides, you make it the night before & it bakes away while you open gifts!

Ingredients:

1 lb. Jimmy Dean sage breakfast sausage

9 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1 1/4 tsp. salt

3 c. milk

1 package of English Muffins, diced in 1 inch cubes

1 (10 oz.) pkg. grated cheddar cheese

Dash of nutmeg (optional)

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

Crumble and brown sausage. 

Mix eggs, mustard, salt and milk. 

Cube the english muffins & lay cubes over bottom of 11x13 inch baking dish. 

Sprinkle cooked sausage over bread. 

Sprinkle cheese over sausage. 

Pour egg mixture over all and refrigerate (covered) overnight. 

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. 

Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Pizza Snake

[Inspired from Pinterest] 

Ingredients

• 1 tube (11 ounces) refrigerated crusty French loaf or Pizza Crust (thick)
• Pizza sauce (canned or quick recipe)
• 1 bag (12 ounces) Italian 5 cheese
• 1/2 pound Italian Sausage 
• 1 lil bag of mini pepperonis 
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Directions

Unroll the pizza dough into a large rectangle; spread with a 1/2 ladle of pizza sauce to within 1 in. of edges. 

Sprinkle with cheese and sausage. Cut a forked tongue from a pepperoni slice. 

Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal and tuck ends under. 

Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet and shape like an "S". 

Brush with an egg wash (beaten egg w/ a little water)

Bake at 425° for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. 

Warm remaining pizza sauce; serve on the side. Yield: 5 servings.

Slice & serve!