Sliders on a Stick

It is NFL playoff season and this means only ONE thing in our house; Saturdays and Sundays are consumed with football, food and friends.  Beyond my wildest fears my team, the Green Bay Packers, lost this weekend in a shocking turn of events and is now out of the Super Bowl running.  What to do?  My back up team (a.k.a. my husband's one and only) the Jets didn't even make the playoffs.  I am sad to say I think this may be the first Super Bowl in a very long time I haven't actually been excited about watching, the teams remaining are of minimal interest to me.  I think this year I may just cheer against a team instead of for a team.

Regardless.....the best part about football for me is the food.  Burgers, pizza, wings and fries.  Hoagies, sliders, cheese dip and potato chips.  Isn't it convenient that football comes to an end right when most of our resolutions to be healthier and get our weight on track begins?  Football means beer on Sunday afternoons, a reason to see friends and stay up way too late knowing you have to tackle Monday in a few short hours.  Football means hostessing and hostessing means providing delicious food for a crowd of hungry fans.

We had some friends over this Sunday and as is typically the case when two 7 month-old baby girls are calling the plays, I needed to make an appetizer that we were able to tackle with one hand.  I wanted something familiar, yet unique.  When babies are occupying your every move and you can't quite sit down and enjoy a plate of food with forks and knives (like refined adults), you need to plan accordingly.

Skewers.  I started thinking about skewers.  Skewers and sliders.  But wouldn't the bun fall off the stick?  Yes.  Indeed. And this would be problematic.  But....what if I eliminated the bun?  What if I made a delicious slider, but on a skewer, with a delightful zesty dip?  It was risky, but I was up to the challenge.

The result is below and I must say, this is now one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE appetizer recipes.  It tastes divine, it looks festive and orderly when plated and it is a SO EASY yet looks and tastes SO INVOLVED.  Perfect for your pending NFL playoff or Super Bowl parties, perfect for a light dinner at home that your kids can help you assemble (and will LOVE to eat), perfect for a playgroup or girls night in.

I hope you enjoy this delightful little recipe....I thought about keeping it to myself but, alas, I am too thrilled with the result not to share it with you.

SLIDERS ON A STICK
1 1/4 Lb. Organic Grass Fed Ground Sirloin
6 Ounces Organic Sharp Cheddar Cheese, cut into 1.5 inch squares approximately 1/4 inch thick

4 Organic Roma Tomatoes, washed and sliced into 1/4 inch rounds

3 - 4 Large Whole Kosher Dill Pickles, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds

1 Cup Organic Ketchup
1 Cup Organic Light Mayonnaise
1/2 Cup Sweet Relish
1 Tablespoon Garlic Salt
1 Tablespoon Black Pepper
10 6-inch Bamboo Skewers

Directions
Dip
In a small mixing bowl, mix ketchup, mayonnaise and relish until well-combined.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes

Sliders
Spray a large electric skillet with cooking spray and preheat to 350 degrees (or you can heat up the grill if weather allows)

• Divide meat into 1.5 inch circles approximately 1/2 inch thick, flatten to make 10 - 12 patties
• Sprinkle evenly with garlic salt and pepper and place in skillet, covering for five minutes

• Flip patties and re-cover, allowing to cook for another five minutes
• Uncover, reducing heat to simmer 
• Place one slice of cheese on each patty and re-cover for an additional 5 minutes (the goal is to get the cheese to melt enough to stay on the patty but not to be completely melted)

• Remove patties from skillet and place on paper towel to drain excess grease from bottoms 
• Stack each patty with a tomato slice, followed by a pickle

• Skewer with bamboo through the center of each stack and place on round plate surrounding a small dish
• Spoon prepared dip into dish and serve immediately

• Enjoy!
I am linking up with Lovelinks #40 this week, check it out and vote on Thursday!