It's that time of the week again...TGI FRYDAY!  This week we decided to combine all four major food groups (cheese, bacon, sausage and beer) into one tasty, bite sized appetizer.  The result? Cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped, beer battered (and fried) sausage balls. 




Bacon Cheddar Bites

8 ounce block sharp cheddar
16 ounces breakfast or Italian sausage
1 pound of center cut bacon
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
One 12 ounce beer
2 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Heat oil for frying to 375 degrees in a deep sided pot or deep fryer. Mix beer, yolks, salt and baking powder in a bowl and slowly add 1 ½ cups flour until smooth and moderately thick.

Cut cheddar into 1 inch cubes. Cover each cube with uncooked sausage,rolling into individual golf ball sized meatballs. Wrap each ball tightly with 1 slice bacon (a toothpick can be inserted to hold the bacon in place if necessary then removed after frying).  Dredge bacon wrapped sausage balls in a bowl containing the remaining 1/2 cup of flour, shaking off excess then dip in the beer batter. Working in batches, gently place the sausage bites in the oil and fry until golden,approximately 6 minutes. Remove, drain on paper towels and serve.


- SmokeInDaEye.com, Home of Bigger, Badder, Bolder Competition BBQ(c)