Sausage Balls with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce ~ Great Game Day Appetizer!

I look forward to the Super Bowl every year...not to watch the game, not necessarily for the ads (although I do pay attention during commercial breaks haha), but to make appetizers! You already know how much I love to cook easy, healthier recipes, but on game day? Healthy recipes? I think it's okay to let go every once in awhile, especially if you want to please a crowd of hungry football fans in the mood for 7-layer dips, chicken wings, pizza, and beer.

Au contrair, friends!!! You don't have to completely let go because opting for organic ingredients and making recipe from scratch makes a recipe healthier that easily!  And the munching, yelling football fans won't know the difference.

That's why I'm making made-from-scratch and organic Sausage Balls for this Sunday's game.  My husband and his family are HUGE sausage ball fans, and you can always count on a batch of sausage balls being set out on the table during family reunions.  Instead of making the sausage balls from premade mix, I made my own little mix and used organic organic hot sausage.  So easy. So quick. SO GOOD.  Just don't count on keeping your hands clean.  This recipe involves full on hand-kneading.

But what's a good sausage ball without a good dip? That's where my Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce comes into play.  Perfection.

Organic Sausage Balls with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Sausage Balls 

The recipe below makes about 24-30 1" diameter sausage balls.

Ingredients:
*choose organic and local where possible
- 2 cups unbleached, organic flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- dash of cayenne pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbs cold organic, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 pound ground sausage, preferably hot sausage (hot sausage ads great flavor...doesn't make the sausage balls spicy, but mild sausage may make them bland!)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add butter, sausage and cheese. Knead with your hands until mixed all the way through.  This may take a little time (5 minutes max) and some work, but well worth it.

3. Shape the mixture into about 1" balls and place them on an ungreased stainless steel cookie sheet. 

4. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are a little brown.

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

This makes about 3/4 cup sauce.

Ingredients:

*choose organic and local where possible

- 1/2 cup mayo
- 4 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbs Dijon mustard
- 2 tbs honey
- 2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.  Place in fridge over night to let flavors combine.

2. Dip!

What are you making for game day?

If you're looking for a couple more ideas, here are a few snacks you can bring to a gathering:

• Broccoli-Cheddar Bites
• Broccoli Parmesan Fritters
• Fruited Curry Chicken Salad (with pita chips on the side!)
• Homemade Chips
• Kale Chips
• Baked Sweet Potato Bites

~ Hannah