Cheese N Ham Spirals Food

TRIPLE-CHEESE SPIRALS

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, mustard and cayenne and stir with a wooden spoon to make a paste. Cook, stirring, until the paste puffs slightly, about 1 minute. Whisk in both milks and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, whisking occasionally, until slightly thickened and creamy, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the cheddar and jack cheeses and all but 2 tablespoons of the parmesan and whisk until melted; keep warm. Combine the panko, herbs and/or scallions, 1 tablespoon butter and the remaining parmesan in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until the butter melts, about 1 minute; toss. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup cooking water, and return to the pot. Toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, then stir in the cheese sauce, adding the reserved cooking water if needed. Season with salt and top with the breadcrumb mixture.

HAM AND CHEESE CRESCENT SPIRALS

Steps:

• On a nonstick surface or wax paper, unroll each tube of crescent dough. Seperate each 8-oz tube into 2 large rectangles (you'll have 4 total).
• Seal the perforations very well and spread out dough just a bit.
• In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese sour cream and mustard. Stir in the scallions, ham, cheese and garlic powder; mix well.
• Spread each rectangle with one-fourth of the cream cheese mixture. Spread it thin and leave 1/2" on the sides.
• Roll up the rectangles jelly-roll style.
• Wrap each roll in wax paper and place in the freezer for 20-25 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Unwrap rolls and cut into about 1/2" slices.
• Place slices on a nonstick or lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for about 12 minutes or until lightly golden.
• After baking, allow to cool for 3 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.
• Serve warm or cold.