Pizza Bites

I'm a little behind in my blogging. Turns out cleaning out my house has taken the front seat while pretty much everything else has kind of taken a back seat. I have, however, been photographing the yummy (and the sometimes mediocre) food we've been making, so you'll see it - eventually. ;)

These pizza bites were the last of the snacks we brought to the New Year's Eve party. While they were good, they didn't shine quite as bright as the other goodies we brought. They are pretty basic enough - pizza dough, wrapped around mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, then topped with Italian seasoning, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese and baked till golden, with a bowl of pizza or marinara sauce on the side, of course.

And they were good. About what you would expect. But as my husband and I were talking about them the next day, we both felt they were just missing something. And then he said it.

"Garlic butter basted on top after they come out of the oven."

Trumpets sounded and a heavenly chorus sang. This is most definitely what would have moved these from good to spectacular.

The next time I make these, they will be slathered in garlic butter. Amen.

Ready to pop in the oven:

The finished product.

Pizza Bites

Makes ~48 bites

Ingredients

• 2 recipes or balls pizza dough (or 2 cans refrigerated pizza dough) {I used Trader Joe's pre-made pizza dough}
• 8 oz. block mozzarella cheese {I used Trader Joe's Real Mozzarella sticks, each stick sliced into 6 pieces}
• 4 oz. thin sliced pepperoni
• 2 tsp. Italian seasoning (combine oregano, basil, parsley, and garlic)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
• Pizza or marinara sauce

1. Prepare pizza dough. Cut block of mozzarella into 48 cubes.
2. If you are going to bake some (or all!) right away preheat oven to 400°F. Grease 3 pie pans.
3. If using refrigerated pizza dough: roll one dough out into a large rectangle and cut into 24 pieces. Repeat with 2nd pizza dough. If using homemade dough just pinch off walnut sized pieces as you go.
4. In each dough piece place a couple pieces of pepperoni and a cube of cheese. Seal dough around meat and cheese and place seam side down in pie pan.
5. Repeat, placing approximately 16 dough balls in each pie plate.
6. Once assembled, combine oil and spices and brush over the dough. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
7. Now you can cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze or you can bake right away.
8. When ready to bake: bake at 400°F for 16-20 min. Serve with warm pizza or marinara sauce.

Source: Chaos in the Kitchen