Itty Bitty Burgers

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a medium bowl add 2 Tablespoons of chipotle or other spicy mustard and a generous pinch of salt to the ground beef. Using your hands, mix gently until everything is thoroughly combined. Roll meat into very small balls, roughly 1 1/2 inches across and set on a rimmed cookie sheet. (I got 16 out of my batch.) Press each ball down gently to slightly flatten . Bake for 10 minutes, remove and lay a small piece of cheese over each burger. Return to oven for 1-2 more minutes until cheese is melted and burgers are cooked through.

While the burgers are cooking, spread a bit of mustard on buns (if you like), and cut the buns into 1-inch pieces.

Prepare remaining ingredients and have everything ready when the burgers come out of the oven. Assemble burgers on toothpicks by stabbing some bread (mustard side down), then lettuce/spinach, then tomato, then a burger, then the other piece of bread (mustard side up). When you put them on a serving dish, press everything down a bit — that will help them stand up.

Makes 16 appetizers (serving about 8), or dinner for 4 people.

Notes:
An Italian version would be awesome, using some basil or sun-dried tomato pesto in the meat and topping them with mozzarella or provolone cheese, and a piece of roasted red pepper. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a “Burger Tasting” party where everyone brought a different kind to share? The possibilities make my head spin…