Share This

Fierce Foodie: Mini-Food

.

A blogumn by Roya Hamadani
minibreakfast

Dollhouse breakfast - 1:12 - handmade w/ polymer clay

I’ve always been fascinated by dollhouses, especially their miniature kitchens filled with itty-bitty fake food.  A little Googling during a slow work day introduced me a world of tiny food enthusiasts.  These are people who meticulously hand craft miniature foods perfect in every detail, down to the tiniest blemishes.   I’ve marveled over apples the size of peas, frosted seven layer birthday cakes no bigger in diameter than a penny, and pork chops that fit on a thumbnail.  Many of the items were so realistic that a coin was placed in the picture to confirm their one-sixteenth size, proving yet again the amazing ingenuity of people who don’t have sex.  Yes, sublimation rocks!

minihamburgerTo me the most fun mini-food that you can actually eat is a slider, a cheeseburger appetizer about two bites big.  (Not to be confused with White Castle burgers, which are definitely bigger.)  I can eat like ten of these slider things at one sitting, no problem.  I have no idea how many real cheeseburgers this equals and I don’t plan to find out.  In fact, if you find out, please keep it to yourself because I don’t want to know.

minislidersWhy are they better than regular size burgers?  Some might say the tiny aspect increases flavor or juiciness or something like that, but whatever, I think it’s because they are adorable. Besides the cuteness factor, I think their party food appeal lies in the fact that you get to eat something that far outstrips mini quiche in deliciousness without unfortunate burger grease dripping all over yourself while you struggle to make small talk.  Nobody makes a good first impression sucking cheese off their hands. 

So I give to you a recipe for tiny burgers adapted from Rachel Ray after the jump.  However even if you don’t cook, you can still enjoy this fun mini food in the comfort of your own home thanks to your ever-improving frozen food section.  I must confess I have cheated and used the microwavable sliders and they are actually pretty good.

Mini-Burgers (adapted from Rachel Ray)

12 mini dinner rolls, split
1 garlic clove, halved
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
1 large shallot, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Worcester sauce
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 pound Cheddar cheese

1.  Preheat broiler to high, place the rolls on a broiler pan and toast until golden. Rub with the garlic and drizzle with olive oil.
2.  In a medium bowl, combine the beef with the Worcestershire sauce and shallot; season with salt and pepper. Divide the meat into 4 equal pieces, then form 3 sliders from each piece to make 12 mini sliders total.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the sliders for 3 minutes on the first side and 1 to 2 minutes on the other side for medium.
4. Top each bun bottom with a slider and a slice of cheddar. Place under the broiler to melt the cheese a bit, about 30 seconds, then set the bun tops in place.  Serve with ketchup for dipping.

.

flickr.com credits: Dollhouse breakfast and hamburger and fries – PetitPlat by sk/ Stéphanie Kilgast and Real Sliders photo credit: Su-Lin