One of the great side events to the Game on Super Bowl Weekend is the great food and drinks that are served and exchanged.  It's becoming a lot like the Christmas season in that sense, isn't it? No so many sweets, mind you.  Much more savory for the game!  This year we have the advantage of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver on the way and Mardi Gras right in the middle.  The perfect storm of savory and delicious foods.  What was your favorite??

I'd have to say that the sliders (in all of thier great variety) really hit the mark this year.  there were ones made to the original recipe and technique (just grilled onions and meat on a soft dinner roll) and incredible variations (small poratabella mushrooms with coleslaw and horseradish mayonnaise).  I thin my favorite was a Texas variation in which the meat tasted for all the world like chili and the garnishments were those that you would have used for chili.  Since I love chili, this really hit me where I live!  Just Great!  I will run this recipe to ground and post it here in the next couple of days.  You can try a few experiments with sliders for the upcoming sporting events that you love to watch with friends.

Just remember how the original came about.  A greek chef (whose name escapes me now) was trying to get some of his seasoned meat balls to cook quickly in his luncheonette, where customers have very limited amounts of time.  They weren't going fast enough, so he smacked the flat with his turner!  The juice from the meat ball mixed with some grilled onions that were on the grill for a different dish and when he scooped up the two items and put them on a dinner roll to accommodate his rushing crowd, the slider was born.

Try that technique with anything.  Pork ball, ham balls, crab balls, etc.  Just let them brown on the outside a bit and then push them flat to complete the cooking.  Put your chosen dressings (onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc.) on the grill with the meat and let the flavors marry.  Watch the addition of sauces and mayonnaises to the small sandwiches.  They can get to be unmanageable.

Scoop it up and put it on the bun of your choice.  Dinner roll, potato roll, monkey break.  A biscuit?  Why not?

Enjoy this great little treat and experiment to you find your own special variety!

Pura Vida!