Baked Bean & Corn Muffin Bites

Sweet corn bread.  Spicy baked beans.  Gooey cheese.  Baked Bean & Corn Muffin Bites!!

As you read yesterday, I am obsessed with small bites!  How can you not be?  They are the perfect party food:  easy to eat AND if you are trying to watch your waistline they are great for portion control! (That is -- if you can have just one!)

However prepping a bunch of miniature snacks for a crowd can be time consuming and the recipes can be involved.  So I decided to keep this one simple and semi-homemade!!  All you need is corn muffin mix, your favorite can of baked beans and shredded cheese.  That's it!!   

You end up with these cute little bites that would fit in at a swanky cocktail party as well as a Super Bowl spread!  

BAKED BEAN & CORN MUFFIN BITES

Makes 24 bites

Ingredients

• Box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• Can of favorite baked beans
• Shredded Cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
2. Using egg and milk, prepare Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix batter according to instructions on the box.  Let batter sit out for 10 minutes on the counter. (Tip: setting batter out makes sure the muffins get a nice crown.)
3. Grease 24-mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups.  Bake for 12-14 minutes until tops are golden brown.  Set aside to cool in pan.
4. In small saucepan, heat baked beans.
5. Once muffins are cooled, using a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out the top of the muffin being careful not to break the sides.  Fill the hollowed muffin with 1 to 2 teaspoons of baked beans and then top with shredded cheese.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  Enjoy!

Mini Pizza Bites

Happy Sunday!!  I don't know about you but I am in full-on Super Bowl preparation mode.  Joe and I are having a BUNCH of friends over to watch the game and I am already pumped!  I know, I know, the game is still a week away!  I just LOVE the Super Bowl!!  Not for the football game (I could care less about that)... for all of the bite-size food!  There is something about munching on things that are mini.  I can't quite explain it!  Whether it is mini-cupcakes, mini-burgers, mini-hot dogs... mini to me means YUMMY!!  Which would explain my recent obsession with Mini Pizza Bites!

SMALL bites are making a BIG emergence on party and wedding menus these days.  Peter Callahan, owner of Callahan Catering, says  miniaturized versions of our favorite comfort foods can be stylish and delicious.  Check out this slideshow of classic American dishes shrunk down into one-bite delights!  Don't you just want to pop them in your mouth right now??  I DO!!

Pizza is one of my favorite comfort foods.  BUT all of that gooey cheese, tangy sauce and chewy crust can be a mess to eat for party-goers.  So why not make a pizza snack that won't explode all over your shirt (AND my couch)!!  

These cheesy bites pack the same spicy punch of pepperoni pizza without the sauce stains.  AND another plus is you could sub in any of your favorite pizza toppings.  Instead of pepperoni and olives.... how about sausage and mushrooms?  Or go veggie with broccoli and peppers!  The pizza possibilities are endless!

MINI PIZZA BITES

 - Adapted from Plain Chicken -

 - Makes 24 bites - 

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3/4 cup skim milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I used low-fat, part skim)
• 1/2 cup regular or turkey pepperoni slices, cut into quarters
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
• marinara sauce for dipping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.  In a small bowl, combine milk and egg then slowly whisk into flour mixture.  Stir in mozzarella, pepperoni and olives.  Let mixture rest for 10 minutes out on the counter.
3. Meanwhile, spray a 24-mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Once mixture has rested, divide between the muffin cups and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until bites are puffed and golden brown.
4. Remove pizza bites from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.  Place some marinara sauce in a small bowl and heat in the microwave.  Serve with cooled pizza bites.  Enjoy!