Saucheesie

Photo courtesy of The Cooking Corner

   There's a little hideaway in Southern Indiana that makes a hand-held meal called a Saucheesie. It's a pastry filled with seasoned meat and a cheese blend, then baked until light and fluffy. I have tried to make this more than a few times and keep getting closer, this is my best attempt yet. I must say though, Lucy's at the Hilltop Tavern in Hazleton is the best.

   For best results, thaw out the bread dough the night before and brown the sausage so that it's ready for use. After filling the pastries, let them set for at least a half an hour for another rise.

Saucheesie (per batch of 4)
1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed

Hot Italian filling with pepperoni

1 lb. roll of sausage
3/4 cup onion, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
3 hungarian wax peppers, diced (or 1 green bell pepper, diced)
1 clove garlic, chopped

1/2 - 8 oz. pkg. each mozzarella and colby-jack cheeses, mixed in bowl

2 tsp. melted butter
Parmesan cheese

shortening

Saucheesie - (per serving)

heaping half cup of sausage browned with onion and green bell peppers

1/4 loaf frozen bread, thawed

1 handful of a combo of mozzarella and colby-jack cheeses

pat of butter
Parmesan cheese

shortening

   The night before baking, remove bread loaf from freezer and let thaw in greased plastic container. Brown sausage with peppers and onions. Drain excess grease and refrigerate for use later.

   On pan covered with shortening, spread out dough to about an 8-inch circle and place sausage mixture in center. Top with a handful of cheese blend and then wrap, "like a diaper," tucking edges and corners in. Place seam side down on baking sheet, brush with butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in 350 oven for 25 minutes or so.

   Note - If you don't like peppers and onions, these can be made with meat and cheese only. I seasoned the sausage while cooking with a touch of onion powder and 1 clove chopped garlic for flavor. Any filling could be used - sloppy joe mix or pepperoni and marinara sauce for example.

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