We all know the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” But I’ll admit that I really do — and you probably do too — tend to do this, at least when it comes to actual books.
When I laid eyes on The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook: Heirloom Recipes for Modern Gatherings by Courtney Dial Whitmore, I practically wrote it off as a book full of fancy, difficult-to-make appetizers. During these days of social distancing, it’s the last cookbook I’d want to spend time browsing. But still, the cover features a gorgeous tray of make-your-own Bloody Mary cocktails and a bright bouquet. I just had to take a look inside.
What I found truly did surprise me — simple recipes for such dishes like Nashville Hot Chicken Biscuits, Baked Cheesy Corn Dip and Cozy Chicken Pot Pie. And believe it or not, one of the recipes calls for Bisquick baking mix!
I had more than half a box left over after making an easy chicken pot pie from the latest Bisquick cookbook, so I figured I’d try Whitmore’s recipe for Spicy Cheddar-Sausage Balls. It wasn’t the first time I had heard of these sausage balls, which seem to be a favorite for festive gatherings, but it was the first time I decided to make them. The recipe yields about 60 mini or 30 large sausage balls. If you aren’t making them for a large crowd, they easily can be served as leftovers with eggs as a breakfast dish, or frozen for another time.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups Bisquick baking mix
- 1 pound hot or spicy ground pork sausage
- 4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine the Bisquick, sausage, cheese, and milk in a large bowl.
- Form into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The dough will be sticky, so use a little flour or Bisquick on your hands to help form the balls.
- Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes.
Other recipes include Classic Southern Biscuits, Southern Spoon Bread, Thanksgiving Dressing, Sunday Morning Cinnamon Rolls, Kentucky Bourbon Balls, Red Velvet Cupcakes, Lemon Squares, Shenandoah Valley Apple Cake, Key Lime Trifles, Texas Sheet Cake, Southern Sweet Tea, Old-Fashioned Lemonade, Watermelon Mint Juleps, and Holiday Spiced Punch.
The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook: Heirloom Recipes for Modern Gatherings can be requested here, or by calling Whitehall Public Library at 412-882-6622.
