Sliders kick off New Year’s party

Pizza sliders pack a lot flavor in a small package

Peanut butter cups provide triple flavor layers

Sliders are just so darn cute and popular. That’s the criteria I look for when New Year’s rolls around. One year it was Jello shots. The next focused on the most popular way to display mashed potatoes — in a martini glass. So in keeping with trendy and tasteful, I decided to prepare a few sliders of my own that combined fresh basil, pizza sauce and pepperoni slices. This combo created a savory morsel that was fun to eat.

For dessert, I prepared a version of a favorite candy — peanut butter cups. These treats were a little more sophisticated with a base of chocolate crumbs, peanut butter cheesecake middle and chocolate swirl topping. Rich and savory packed into neat appetizer packages provided the perfect snacked for a New Year’s gathering.

Feel free to share your favorite version of sliders. I have a feeling this trend will stick around for awhile.

Pizza sliders pack a lot flavor in a small package

Pizza Sliders

1 pound lean ground beef

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup minced onion

1/2 cup pizza sauce

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

8 pepperoni slices

8 leaves fresh basil

8 small dinner rolls

Combine ground beef, onions and seasonings in medium bowl until blended. Shape into 8 patties.

Cook over medium heat for about 6 minutes per side or until browned. Top each burger with sauce, pepperoni and cheese. Cook about 1 minute longer or until cheese is melted. Place 1 basil leaf on each burger.

Servings: 8

Peanut butter cups provide triple flavor layers

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups

For crust:

1 cup finely crushed chocolate wafers (if you are unable to find these, Oreo cookies may be substituted)

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon sugar

For filling:

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

Topping:

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 12 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with foil liners.

In a medium bowl, combine crushed wafers, melted butter and 1 tablespoon sugar. Press mixture into the bottom of muffin cups.

Filling: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs, vanilla and peanut butter until just combined. Spoon about 1/3 cup filling into each cup. Bake about 25 minutes or until filling is set. Cool on wire rack.

Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl at 20 second intervals or until all chips are melted. Drizzle over cheesecakes. Chill about 1 hour or until topping is set.

Servings: 12

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Posted by admin on Jan 16 2012. Filed under Seasonal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry