Thursday, October 28, 2010

The American South??

Well, ever since discovering that the grocery stores in this city in which I reside does not carry some of the more specialty ingredients which were required for some of my ethnic recipes, I find myself short several days for this ethnic month. What to do! What I always do, fudge my way through. With grace and brilliance, of course.
So, after a kind of busy day running errands, I needed something to make for dinner. Some quick and preferably easy. Something kind of ethnic...and by kind of, not really ethnic at all. Actually, 'regional' would be a better word. And the only thing that makes this recipe regional in any way is that my recipe came from the kitchen of a friend of my mothers'. This wonderful lady is from the South, is a great cook, and has one of those Southern twangs we all secretly wish we could pretend to have without looking ridiculous. (Yes, sometimes I like listening to Southern accents, it's relaxing. Not the redneck, inbred southern accent, mind you, but the homey, smooth southern accent.)

Anyway, back to the food. Sausage Balls. For you with your minds in the gutter (like me) Sausage Spheres.
Every since the first time I ate these concoctions I have loved them. I love cheese, and this recipe definitely fulfills that hunger. And this recipe is quick and easy. But, if you make it like you're supposed to, (mixing it by hand), it can get kind of messy. But that's part of the therapy of cooking for me, being able to make a mess and know that it is for a good cause.

So, this recipe has 4 ingredients:
(water not pictured) :p


Dump all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and delight in the absurd amount of cheese you see before you.

                                                             Glorious cheese...ahhhh.

Now, mix the heck out of it with your hands. No cheating, use your hands!
In a random rabbit trail: I've recently been wrestling with the decision of whether or not to buy a kitchen aid. My mother confirmed to me that someday when I have three children like she did, I would NEED one. I replied by assuring her that I would never, ever have three children. And do I really need one? No, for I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing it can make that I cannot make with my hands and some elbow grease. And mixing things by hand adds a wonderful new dimension to the practice of cooking. Something almost, (dare I say it?) spiritual. I think that in a lot of recipes' cases, that mixing things by hand, or with a good ol' wooden spoon adds a subtle delicious flavor to food. And it definitely adds a lot of love (not that I'm saying your cooking didn't have any love, mom) and love always makes food better.
And besides, with the $200+ a kitchen aid costs, I could buy many other things for my kitchen. Or a month's worth of food...gotta sort out the priorities!

Sorry....I forgot to warn you that I can go off on random rants from time to time.
Back the the Ba....Spheres ;)
After mixing up the ingredients this is what the 'dough' should look like (you may have to use more water than is called for, but just mix in the extra a little at a time). Also, why you should take off any rings you might be happening to be wearing before mixing..


Now, break off pieces of the dough (about a heaping tablespoon) and roll into a ball shape. Place these on a cookie sheet. Bake them for 10-12 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
Now, abandon all reason and tear into these delicious morsels like a barbaric caveman, i.e., like my husband did, hahaha.


To the sweet Southern lady who first supplied my mother with this recipe: my tastebuds are forever in your debt.

Now here is the recipe as I have it written down:

3 cups bisquik biscuit mix
1 lb. ground sausage
1 pound shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup water.

Mix. Bake. 350. 10-12.

Now, for the translated version

Same ingredients

Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and stir/knead with hands until it forms a sticky dough. You may need to use more water than is called for. Tear off pieces (about a heaping tablespoonful worth) and form into balls. Place on a cookie and sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not let them get very brown, for then they will be crunchy and not as delicious.

1 comment:

  1. Just sent a facebook request to Mrs. Gunn...

    And you are correct, there was still love from my kitchenaid - it was just faster love!

    ReplyDelete