Let's Party! Christmas Wassail + Three EASY Appetizers

Hello, friends -- Please join me today as I prepare an ancient beverage called "Wassail." Also included in this episode are THREE super-simple (and super-delicious!) nibbles. Recipes are written out below:

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CLASSIC WASSAIL
2 apples (such as 'Honey Crisp')
15-20 cloves for studding the apples
8 cups (1.9 liters) pure apple cider
2 cups (470mls) orange juice
1/3 cup (80mls) lemon juice
4 cinnamon sticks
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Stud the apples with the cloves, and then place the apples in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine, and then bring to a simmer on the stove top. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, and then strain and serve.

SAUSAGE AND CHEESE PUFF PASTRY PINWHEELS
1 sheet frozen Puff Pastry dough, thawed but cold
1 beaten egg
2/3 cup (a large handful) shredded cheese (melty cheeses such as "Italian Blend" or "Mexican Blend" work well here)
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves or Italian seasoning
2 sweet Italian sausage links, cooked and crumbled

Preheat the oven to 400F (200C). Unfold the puff pastry dough, and then roll it out to remove creases.

Brush egg wash in a one inch border across the end of the dough that is the farthest away from you

Sprinkle the cheese and then the crumbled meat over the dough, taking care to avoid the strip of egg wash.

Starting at the end closest to you, tightly roll the pastry into a cylinder. The strip of egg wash will help the cylinder to hold together. (If the dough has softened considerably, chill it in the freezer for 5 minutes.)

Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds; place each round on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake until the pastry puffs and browns lightly --12-15 minutes. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

SAUSAGE AND PINEAPPLE BITES
Polish Kielbasa or Turkey "Kielbasa"
1 can pineapple chunks
Thai sweet chili sauce in a squeeze bottle

Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Cut the sausage into 1/2 inch coins, topping each coin with a chunk of pineapple. Insert a wooden skewer or toothpick to hold the sausage and pineapple together. Place on a baking sheet, and heat for just 5 minutes in the preheated oven. Retrieve from oven and give the pineapple a short squirt of the chili sauce. Bake for additional 5 minutes . Serve hot, warm, or even cold.

CUCUMBER AND SMOKED SALMON BITES
1 English cucumber
Smoked salmon
2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese
Chopped fresh dill

Cut the cucumber into 1/4 - 1/2-inch rounds. Top each round with a small piece of the smoked salmon. Pipe a small dollop of the cream cheese on top of the salmon. Top with a small sprig of dill, gently pressing the dill against the cream cheese to secure it. Serve cold or at room temperature.