Crescent Roll Creations

Last week I had a Christmas party to attend and it was requested that I bring an appetizer.  This was during the same time I was up to my ears in cookies.  Nothing sounded better than something savory.  I am was still super busy at work and needed something that I could be proud to share but would not take up much of my precious Saturday free time. 

I had collected my fair share of holiday magazines this year. Although I don't spend too much time on any given magazine I do look at every.single.page.  Including the advertisements.  The Crescent Roll and Puff Pastry adds had drool dripping from my mouth while I ran.  (Think about it, everyone just thinks it is sweat.  Its the perfect time to ogle food.) Pilsbury makes a special tube of Crescent Roll dough that is not cut out into triangles.  This literally allows you to create anything.

My first option was super easy. Much to Mr. J's dismay I needed a meatless option.  I simply rolled out the Crescent dough a bit bigger and topped with store bought pesto and shredded mozzarella cheese. Roll up like a cinnamon roll and then carefully cut the roll into slices about 1/2 inch thick.  Lay flat on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees till the cheese begins to melt and the dough turns brown.  Eat immediately. 

If you are bringing to a party like I did you can leave unbaked in the fridge till right before you leave, then bake or you can pop them into the oven for 5 minutes to reheat before serving.

The second option, a take on jalapeno poppers,  took a bit more time but it was well worth it.  Mr. J helped fry up some bacon and slice fresh jalapenos into thin strips. Once the bacon is cool crumble the strips into small bits. Again I rolled out the dough to make the large piece a bit bigger.  Using a pizza cutter I cut the large rectangle into 16 smaller squares.  In the center of each square place a glob of cream cheese.  ( I was going to use Boursin cheese but Mr. J ate it all.)  Place one or two pieces of bacon along with two or three strips of jalapenos on top of the cheese.  Fold corners over to make a little pocket.  You can "close" of the wraps any way you see fit. We ended up with quite an assortment of shapes. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. They are good, real good.

They were a huge hit at the party and were completely gone before everyone arrived.  I can imagine serving with soup at dinner or even just having as a light meal.  Not something I want to get in the habit of but oh the possibilities.