Makes 20 Mini Pita Pizzas

These Pita Pizza Bites are simple yet delicious and will round out your Superbowl menu perfectly.  These bite size pizzas have prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and a homemade tomato sauce.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 20 mini pitas
• about 4 large fresh mozzarella balls, sliced into 5 slices
• 1/2 cup Parmesan, shredded
• 10 slices of prosciutto
• 5 large basil leaves roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce (see below for recipe)

Directions

1. Place the pitas on a baking sheet.
2. Dollop 1/2 of a Tablespoon of sauce on each pita.
3. Top each pita with a slice of mozzarella and 1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese.
4. Broil in your oven on high for 2-4 minutes, watching to make sure they don’t burn.
5. Top each pita with 1/2 a slice of prosciutto and sprinkle with basil.
6. Serve.

Pizza Sauce Ingredients

• 1, 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 Tablespoons ketchup
• 1/8 teaspoon granulated garlic
• pinch of salt

Pizza Sauce Directions

1. Stir all of the ingredients together in a medium sauté pan.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and smash tomatoes with the back of a spoon.  Allow to simmer and reduce for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Makes 22 Sliders

Sliders are the perfect appetizer for the Big Game, no matter what side your friends are rooting for, these sliders will be a winner!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 12 oz or 1 cup ground sausage
• 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely grated
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, I use Mr. Vinegar’s vinegar
• salt
• 2 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups yellow onion, sliced 1/4inch thik
• cheddar or swiss cheese, sliced,1 inch squares
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tablespoon ketchup
• 2 teaspoons sweet relish
• 1/8 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar (I prefer Mr. Vinegar’s Red Wine vinegar)
• 22 Hawaiian sweet rolls

Directions

1. Pre-heat your oven to 375°.
2. In a mixing bowl mix together beef, sausage, onion, Worcestershire, garlic vinegar and pinch of salt.
3. Scoop into 18-22 large golf ball size balls and pat down into patties.  Keep wrapped in plastic in the fridge until ready to cook.
4. In a medium sauté pan over medium/high heat add olive oil and onions. Allow to caramelize for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. In a medium mixing bowl mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, sugar, vinegar and a pinch of salt.  Keep in the fridge until ready to use.
6. When ready, heat a large heavy bottomed skillet over high heat.  Salt and pepper both sides of each burger and when the skillet is  hot spray with cooking spray and a add the burgers.  (Don’t over crowd, work in batches if needed).
7. Cook about 2-3 minutes on each side to get a nice crust and place on a baking sheet and top with cheese.
8. Once all of the sliders have been seared, place them in the oven for about 5-10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°.
9. Slice each roll in half and spread the top and bottom with the mayo sauce.
10. Place a patty on each roll and top with caramelized onions.

Quick Garlic Peeling Technique
Peeling garlic can a bit tricky, but with the right technique is can be done quickly and easily.

Remove one clove from the head of garlic.
Place the flat side of a wide knife on top of the clove (the blade should be horizontal and not facing up.
With the palm of your had smash the knife in the garlic clove.
Remove the knife and peel back the papery skin.
Discard the skin.
Now you are ready to use your garlic.

How to Select the Best Clove of Garlic:

• Tight Heads. You want to make sure that the heads of garlic are compact and held tightly together.
• No Green Sprouts. Sprouting garlic is an indication that it is been there awhile, steer clear.
• Firm When Squeezed. Make sure the clove of garlic is firm to ensure freshness.