Christmas AppetizerLooking for a unique Christmas Appetizer for your next party? This spinach appetizer is shaped like a candy cane but can be made into any shape so that it can be used for any holiday appetizer!
Here's what you are going to need: 1/2 pound of bacon, cooked and crumbled 2 small boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, grilled Lawry's Seasoning Salt 1 loaf of frozen white bread dough, thawed overnight in the refrigerator 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed of all liquid. 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, brought to room temperature 1/4 cup of mayonaise 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon galic powder 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1 cup of mozzarella cheese 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1/4 teaspoon of pepper Red Food Coloring 1 egg white 1 teaspoon of water Here's what you'll need to do:The night before you are ready to make your appetizer, place a loaf of frozen bread dough into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap that has been spray with non-stick cooking spray as well. Place in the refrigerator and allow to rise overnight.
Remove from the refrigerator when you are ready to start your appetizer. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Cook and crumble the bacon and allow to drain on paper towels. Set aside.
Sprinkle the chicken with Seasoning Salt. Cook on either a grill pan or regualar frying pan with a little Olive Oil or vegetable oil. Remove from pan and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the spinach, cream cheese, mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, basil, salt and pepper. Mix well.
Turn the dough onto a lightly foured surface. Cut into 3 equal parts.
Working with 1/3 of the dough at a time, roll out into a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. This may take some time because the dough will keep trying to shrink back to it's original size but keep working with it until you get it rolled out( you may even have to let it rest for a few minutes).
Spread with the 1/2 of the spinach filling leaving a one inch space all around the edges.
Cut the chicken into small pieces and sprinkle 1/2 of the chicken on top of the filling. Sprinkle with half of the bacon.
Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese.
Starting with the long end, carefully roll the dough into a log making sure to keep the filling inside of the log.
Squeeze and shape the log making it long enough to form into your desired shape, in this case a candy cane. Make sure that the seam is on the bottom of the log. Fold the ends under. Form into the shape you want. Repeat the process making a second candy cane.
Make sure that you wear gloves for this next step. Add food coloring to the remaining 1/3 of your dough and work it into the dough with your hands ( Divide the dough in half. Roll it out into a small strip and then flatten it. Carefully wrap it around your candy cane. Repeat for the second candy cane.
Place both candy canes on a large baking sheet. Mix together the egg white and water. Brush the tops and sides with the egg whites. Using a toothpick or a scewer, poke a bunch of holes in the candy canes so that the heat will escape and the filling will not ooze out while baking. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until candy canes begin to brown.
This Christmas Appetizer is great served warm with Marinera Sauce or just plain. *********Make sure you use gloves when using the food coloring!!!!*********Return To Appetizers From Christmas Appetizer
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