Sausage Croustades

This is my all time favourite appetizer!!, Delisious! everyone loves them. The toast cups can be filled with other fillings also, but the sausage is wonderfull!! a regular around our house over the holidays. Adapted from Canadian Living mag.

• Ready In: 43 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 16  slices  white bread or 16  slices  brown bread
• 1⁄4 cup butter, melted
• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped onion
• 1  clove garlic, smashed (optional)
• 8  mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 lb sweet Italian sausage link, chopped
• 1  tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1  pinch dried marjoram
• 1  pinch fresh ground pepper
• 1⁄2 cup  whipping cream
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2  tablespoons  freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Remove crusts from bread; reserve for another use.
2. With rolling pin, lightly roll slices to flatten.
3. Press into lightly buttered muffin cups to form cups with 4 points.
4. Brush lightly and sparingly with melted butter.
5. Bake in 375f degree oven for 5 to 8 minutes or until light golden.
6. (Toasted cups can be made ahead and stored in plastic bags in refriferator for up to 4 days. Return them to muffin cups before filling and baking.) In skillet, heat remaining butter over medium heat; cook onion and garlic (if using), stirring occasionally.
7. Add mushrooms and sausage; cook,stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink.
8. Add flour, salt, thyme, marjoram and pepper.
9. Stir until flour is blended with drippings.
10. Add cream and lemon juice; cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes or until mixture thickens.
11. Taste and add more salt, thyme or marjoram, if necessary.
12. Spoon sausage mixture into toasted cups and sprinkle with Parmesan.
13. Bake in 375f degree oven for 5 to7 minutes or until heated through.