Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders – The hit game day food that will make everyone talk about how great you are. Even if you jinx the game & your team loses.

How are you creative?

Have you thought about that?

For the longest time I was feeling really blah.

I didn’t know what was off but something was off. And it wasn’t because life was insanely busy and I was tired with the kids and life, but because I wasn’t creative because of all of those things.

Years ago, I started the blog as a creative outlet when I was insanely busy while at work and in college. Basically my life was architecture 24/7 and I needed an outlet where I could brain dump something other than architecture.

Since then, blogging has really changed and it was feeling somewhat soul crushingly overwhelming. What host? Was Pinterest changing things again and effect traffic? Did I need to take the time to redo recipes to photograph them again? Was the recipe title the right so it hit all the correct SEO things to get traffic? BLAH BLAH BLAH

I felt overwhelmed and so behind with everything. Behind with the blogging I wanted to do, blogging I was behind on, blogging I wanted to redo. So behind with everything in life, besides the laundry.

And the story telling in blogging was missing.

I used to just write and share things and now it’s about having the post that is the right length so that people will not blow it off, but keep scrolling down to the recipe. While also having balance so that the people who do read this feel connected and know me.  (hello out there!)

So I could whine on and on, but that is not the point of this post.

I am here to tell you that I am feeling like my mojo is back!

 

For the past year I have been working on growing my own Instagram (@iamahoneybee), but my big focus has been growing the Instagram for my 2 Boston Terriers. Yeah, that sounds silly, right?!?

Well, as silly as it sounds, their Instagram account (@thebostonterrierparty) has grown to have almost 60,000 followers. Woohoo!

It started off just as a fun way to document their silly lives, but it has developed into something that I have a lot of fun with. I’ve met some really great Instagrammers that I have made some great friendships with. We have skype calls every now and then to discuss strategy for growth, boosting engagement, and how to turn this fun thing into a money maker.

I reached out to an illustrator to have cartoony pups drawn in their likeness so that I can work on some fun things like hoodies, leggings, phone cases, beach towels, and totes with adorable Boston Terriers on them. SO FUN!

I’m also working on some simple books that are targeted at young kids (2-5 year age range). It’s been fun to generate different stories and create the books. I’m hoping to have 3 wrapped up after the new year for a launch to go with the Valentine’s Day book that is just so sweet.

Fingers crossed for me that this all goes well. I’ll keep ya posted!

And, oh, yeah… I made sliders!!!

I love snack like food while we watch football on the weekend. Or while we run around after the kids and dogs. Or when the sun is shining. I just like snacks.

The sliders are insanely easy to make, which is great for when you are hosting a few friends over or for a big party. They can stay melty in a warm (150F) oven while the game plays on or your party goes on and on.

Everyone will love the flavors in the burger and the awesome everything bagel topping that makes the sliders extra awesome. But don’t worry, if you can’t find that blend you can whip up your own or just use poppy seeds. Don’t make it complicated, just enjoy them!

Enjoy these at your next party, watching football, or while you relax and create something that leaves you feeling fulfilled.

Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Makes 12 sliders

Ingredients

• 12 dinner rolls
• 1/2 Cup mayonnaise
• 4 slices of bacon (approx 1/4 pound)
• 1 cup diced onion (2 small onions)
• 1 pound ground beef, 93/7
• 2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 Cup Ketchup
• 1/4 Cup yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Everything Bagel Mustard Sauce

• 1 1/2 tablespoon Everything Bagel topping
• 1 1/2 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Process

1. Half the rolls to separate the top from the bottom. Place the bottoms in a 9×13 baking pan. Spread mayo on the tops and bottoms of the buns. Set the tops aside for later.
2. Cut the bacon into very small pieces. Scissors makes this a quick task. Cook in a skillet over medium low until crisp. Remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain.
3. Preheat over to 350F degrees.
4. While the oven is preheating, saute the onion in 1 Tablespoon of bacon drippings, over medium heat, for a few minutes, until soft and translucent.
5. Add the ground beef. Break up the meat while it is browning.
6. When the meat is cooked through, add the ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
7. Evenly place the meat over the bottom half off the buns in the pan. Then, evenly top with the cheese and bacon. Place the bun tops back on the sliders.
8. In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients. Evenly pour the sauce all over the sandwiches.
9. Let the sauce sit on the sandwiches for 10 minutes, or until butter sets slightly.
10. Cover with foil and bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover & cook for an additional 2 minutes. Serve warm.