glazed sausage bites

I'm not much of a sports person. I prefer to leave the game watching to the hubster and retreat to the kitchen. But sometimes being the wonderful wife that I am, I sit down and watch a game with the hubster. I watch a play or two. Then a commercial. Then another play. Then I get bored. So I begin a running commentary on the players, the fans, the rules, the commercials.... Thankfully, I'm married to a man that finds my random musings hilarious [or so he tells me]. It probably also helps that he isn't an extreme sports fanatic. Of course, quiz him on the stats for any random NBA or NFL player sometime in history and odds are he'll answer correctly. A man's mind. I don't get it.

What I do get is food. Dips. Wings. Cheese. Game day food is something that I can get excited about. And that's where these little glazed sausage bites come in. They are the perfect appetizer for any party and especially wonderful as a quick, sticky, and meaty superbowl appetizer.

The glaze on the sausage bites is sweet with little kick of spice. A simple and delicious alternative to the artery-clogging game day foods that are traditionally found at the game day table. I'm not saying these are completely healthy - merely a better choice. Nor am I saying you should skip the nachos and wings. It's one day - make it count!

Here's the game plan: make a sweet, spicy syrup, add the sausage, cook it a little and almost like magic the sausages are transformed into a glistening, glazed bites worthy of a wedding reception, but humble enough for a superbowl party. Now that I've sufficiently convinced you to make these on Sunday - let's get cooking!


Glazed Sausage Bites
Recipe adapted from Jacques Pépin More Fast Food My Way

Ingredients
1 cup cranberry, pomegranate 100% juice
2 tbsp. spicy ketchup or chipotle tomato sauce [I actually use my mom's homemade "smokin' hot lava." Yes, that is it's real name. It's basically a chipotle sauce only more wonderful.]
1 tbsp. maple syrup
a few dashes of tabasco to taste
13 oz. of sausage cut into rounds [I used Hillshire's chicken sausage, but any kind should work. Remove the casings if you use a fresh variety.]

Directions
1. Combine the juice, chipotle sauce, maple syrup, and tabasco in a medium skillet.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and let boil for 4-5 minutes or until syrup begins to form.
3.Taste the syrup mixture. If you like more spice, add a little more tobasco. If it's too spicy, add a little more maple.
4. Add the slices of sausage to the syrup.

5. Cook the sausages on high heat. Turn a few times, so the syrup covers both sides of sausage well.
6. Continue cooking until the syrup reduces almost completely and coats the sausages well. About 5-8 minutes.

Serve with toothpicks and enjoy!

And go commercials ;)

Check out other fabulous superbowl ideas at the Link Party Palooza and Mouthwatering Mondays!