The following “Chew This!” column has been reprinted from “The Courier-Times”, Saturday January 2nd 2020 edition. By: Blaise Doubman. This column also appeared in “The Shelbyville News”.

Sliders is the answer for a quick, delicious dinner idea!
Blaise Doubman

New Years always bring about a time of reflection and looking into new resolutions, goals, dreams and ambitions. 2020 has been a rough year for absolutely every single person in my life and in your life as well, I am certain. Living during an unprecedented time, walking into unknown territory is always frightening, not to mention being alive in the mist of a global pandemic. 2020 has certainly brought things into reality that I once always thought of as science fiction. I can only hope that those reading this are safe, sound and healthy. If you are reading this and you are not, I can only pray that you soon will find yourself back into good health and safe surroundings. As we walk into the New Year together, let us hold onto having Faith that things will work out in a positive light and hold Love for one another. I strongly encourage you to follow your dreams and work hard in achieving your goals as best you can. So many readers have written to me about wanting to get into the kitchen more, promising themselves less take-out food and more home cooking. Trust me when I tell you, that if this is one of your goals for the New Year, do it! Home cooking is so rewarding and also stress reducing! Get your kids involved and even your grandkids! Teach them an important life lesson in cooking and baking, not only for themselves, but also cooking and baking for others.

The recipe I am sharing today is for sliders. They are super easy, very versatile and so delicious! This recipe calls for things that should be readily available in your pantry. Feel free to add whatever you may like to this recipe for a different flavor combination. Add a little hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce or even different types of cheeses. Or leave the cheese out altogether! Use different types of condiments, different types of slider buns and serve with french fries or onion rings. The wonderful thing about recipes like this, is that you can really add just about anything you would like, and the recipe will turn out delicious and to your liking. You can even make this recipe ahead, wrap with aluminum foil and chill, before baking off in the oven. If you make this recipe and use a different spin on it, please write to me and let me know!

Sliders

Substitute the ground beef for ground chicken or ground turkey for a different flavor combination.

1-pound ground beef
½ cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
6 slices yellow American cheese
Slider hamburger buns
Dill pickles, to serve alongside

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 9-inch square pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large skillet, over medium heat, brown the ground beef about halfway and then add in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Continue cooking until the ground beef is fully cooked. Drain.

Place the bottoms of the slider buns into the prepared baking pan.

Add in the drained hamburger mixture and spread evenly.

Top evenly with the ketchup, yellow mustard and yellow American cheese.

Bake, in preheated oven, for 30 minutes.

Remove, place on the tops of the slider buns, place back into the oven for 5 minutes.

Remove, cool slightly, cut and serve.

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