Dirty South Sausage Balls

• lbs bulk pork sausage (half mild and half spicy)↗2
• lb softened cream cheese1⁄2
• cup snipped chives (or substitute green onions)1⁄4
• teaspoon cayenne pepper↗1⁄2
• salt and pepper
• lemon, juice of↗1
• cups panko breadcrumbs↗3
• lb frozen puff pastry, thawed↗1
• scallion (to garnish)↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400°F

2. 2

   In large bowl, combine pork sausage, cream cheese, chives, cayenne, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Fold bread crumbs into meat-cheese mixture until fully combined. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls.

3. 3

   Wrap a 1 ½ -inch square of puff pastry around each ball, stretching to cover. Pinch seams to seal. Place seam-side down on greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 F for 10 minutes. Serve garnished with chopped or julienned scallions. Makes about 24 small balls.

4. 4

   To freeze: Freeze unbaked balls. Bake them (still frozen) at 375 F for about 17 to 20 minutes, or until browned.