With the Super Bowl approaching, I wanted to make an appetizer that my husband would enjoy on his low Carb diet. Over Christmas I made sausage cheese balls the way most people make them with Bisquick, sausage and cheese. We both love this old standby. I decided to experiment with lessoning the carbs by using almond flour. But almond flour does not have a leavening agent like Bisquick. After several attempts, I settled on a combination of almond flour, baking powder and Bisquick. I halved the amount of Bisquick and combined the baking powder with the almond flour for the other half of the dry ingredients.
I loved the results. Another tip for mixing the ingredients is to bring the grated cheese and sausage to room temperature before mixing them together. Then add the dry ingredients. All of this should be done by hand.
A friend and I spent a day in DeLand, Florida, a small inland community about 20 miles from New Smyrna Beach. It is a vibrant community with lots of shops and restaurants. One of my favorite shops is Anna Bananas. The subheading of the shop is Recycled, Repurposed and Reclaimed.
The owners build furniture using antique elements and creative uses of old wood.
We had lunch al fresco at a delightful restaurant (BakeChop) in a spiffed up alley. It was a warm and sunny day; one of few that we have had in Florida lately. The BLT on sourdough bread was great, but the chickpea salad with Brussel sprout leaves, tomatoes and red onions was a real winner. The chickpeas were crispy and the dressing light. I will have to experiment with duplicating this take on three bean salad.
Enjoy the Super Bowl. Hope you give this adaptation of Sausage Cheese Balls a try.
SAUSAGE CHEESE BALLS (LOWER CARB)
1 Pound Breakfast Sausage (Hot or Mild or a combination)
8 Oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Bisquick Baking Mix
1 cup Almond Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
Grate the cheese into a large bowl and bring to room temperature. At the same time, bring the sausage to room temperature.
While cheese and sausage are resting, combine the Bisquick, almond flour and baking powder in a small bowl.
With your hands, combine the cheese and sausage until well blended. Add the dry ingredients and roll and squeeze until the flour is fully combined with the cheese mixture.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or use a non-stick baking sheet.
Form mixture into about 1 inch balls and line baking sheet with them. I can get 24 balls unto the pan. The recipe makes about 48 balls.
Bake for 15-17 minutes.
Whine…..I want to be there shopping with you! I am having a BLT with avocado on whole wheat for lunch today at home. Your new version of the cheese balls sounds tasty!
Miss you Penny. I saw several corbels that might have worked for you.
Have all my ingredients and am ready to try your original recipe the healthier way! I may need your dipping sauce recipe as well. I could eat these all day long!
Thanks Sally. The dipping sauce is just beer mustard with a dollop of Chinese chili sauce.
I was just wishing I had the dipping sauce recipe. I have not heard of this. I know just who I need to make this for. I have a friend who talks about a mustard dip and I think this may be it. 🙂
I bought a jar at the supermarket, but there are recipes out there to make your own beer mustard Madonna.
Your recipe sounds fantastic! I love how you experiment. I’ve never made these but I think they’d be a hit with my crowd. I recently found a recipe for chorizo sausage balls and Pinned it. It also has a recipe for a (cooling) dip! Excited to do this one.
That shop looks awesome! I never tire of these places. I’m so trying to get rid of things I don’t need or want just to have some extra space…I need to look the other way! lol!
All the best to you and David. Hope we get together soon! 🙂
I agree Jane. I hardly ever buy anything anymore. Looking forward to being back in Lake Lure in warmer weather. Looking forward to seeing you.
My sister and her husband lived in DeLand while he attended Stetson University. I visited often. My sister and I loved the small town. I haven’t thought about it in years and it was so nice to remember it via your post. Maybe she and I should make plans to visit again. Soon!
Thank you so much Treva. Appreciate your comment. DeLand is a charming town and I hope you and your sister will return. New Smyrna Beach is great also.