7 Layer Bitty Bites

Ok, I’ll admit it.  My favorite part about the Super Bowl isn’t the game.  It’s not the commercials either, although I should let it be known that the final pigskin bash of the year is the one and only time I get up to take care of any and all business when the commercials aren’t airing.

Nope, it’s the food.  Dips, wings, pizza, beer.  And did I mention dips?  All my favorite comfort foods spread before me like a smorgasbord of taste dropped straight down from the pearly gates of heaven.  It’s quite a sight to behold.

This year there will be no shortage of tasty grub.  So far on the menu I’ve added an incredible crab rangoon dip (more on that in the upcoming days), a pork and tomatillo stew, the always welcomed crock of homemade guacamole, and these little guys; 7 layer bitty bites.

With everything from taco meat to black beans to cheese, these bites are a true pigskin palate pleaser.  You know you need one (or two).

Start out by slicing up a few tortillas.  Both corn and flour will work.

You’ll need a mini cupcake pan for this, so grab your own or pillage one off your neighbor; whatever it takes I always say.

Shape the tortilla sections into bowls and slide them into the oven to cook up for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  When the tips turn a golden brown, it’s time to pull them out.  Note that these little guys can be cooked up the day before and stored in an airtight container until you’re ready to fill, heat and eat.

On to the ground beef.  Begin with a little oil, a few cloves of garlic and an onion or two.

Now add in a pound of meat and cook about 3/4 of the way through.  Add in a buffet of spices and continue cooking until no pink remains.

Remove the meat from the heat and add in a couple tablespoons of salsa.

Load em up!  Place the cups back into your muffin tin to keep them from tipping over.  Fill with a few crumbles of meat, a couple black beans and a sprinkle of cheese.

Slide them back into a heated oven for a minute or two; just enough to melt down the cheese.  Pull back out and top with sour cream, guaco, tomatoes, and if desired, black olives.  Serve immediately and watch them disappear faster than you can cheer on a Patriot’s (or Giants’) touchdown.

Enjoy the big game and may the best commercial.. err, team win!

7 Layer Bitty Bites

Yield: About 30 Bites

Total Time: 40 min

Ingredients:

5 Tortillas , Flour and Corn Both Work
1 Tbsp Canola Oil
1/4 Onion, Diced
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Pound Ground Beef
1 tsp Oregano
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp Coriander
1/2 tsp Chile Pepper
1/4 tsp Pepper
1/8 tsp Cinnamon
2 Tbsp Salsa
1 15 Oz. Can Black Beans, Rinsed and Drained
4 Oz. Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
4 Oz. Sour Cream
4 Oz. Guacamole
1 Tomato, Diced

Directions:

For flour tortillas, slice them into six sections. For the smaller corn counterparts; four.

Push each section into a mini muffin tin to form a bowl and place in the oven to crisp up for 13-15 minutes at 350 degrees. When the tips turn a golden brown the tortillas are cooked.

In a large frying pan, heat up the oil on medium heat. Add in the onion and garlic and cook for a minute or two.

Add in the ground beef and brown it up.

Add in the spices; the oregano, salt, cumin coriander, chile pepper, pepper and cinnamon.

Remove from heat and stir in the salsa.

Scoop a little of the ground beef into the bottom of each cup.

Add a few beans and sprinkle with a few shreds of cheese.

Place back in the oven and heat up for about 2-3 minutes until the cheese fully melts.

Pull out and dollop with sour cream and guacamole.

Sprinkle on the tomatoes.

Serve immediately.

*The cups can be made a day ahead as well the beef. Simply reheat the beef when you're ready to bake the appetizers and proceed with assembly. Store cups in an airtight container until ready to use.