Grilled Bologna Sliders!!

I'm learning that when you write a food blog, people will offer suggestions on what to make and write about. A lot of the ideas are really great and I will definitely get to them all at some point. This one hit a nerve because one of my cousins reminded me about this totally retro concoction that my mom and uncle used to scarf down with wild abandon and not gain an ounce of weight while doing it: fried bologna sandwiches. When this was suggested to me, my little organic-loving soul plummeted to the third level of hell because God knows, this ain't anywhere close to natural.

Your basic fried bologna sandwich is pretty much just bologna fried up in a pan with butter and plopped on a roll (with more butter). And while I enthusiastically indulge on gameday, even this little cardiac on a kaiser was pushing the envelope. I needed to figure out what I could do to tone down the danger level. So I pulled out my good ol' grill pan and got to work...

After a little brainstorming, I came up with: Grilled Bologna Sliders with a Garlic Avocado Spread. And you thought you couldn't glam up balogna!

First of all, my biggest concern was making something less greasy. By grilling the bologna in a dry grill pan, I succeeded in that regard. On top of that, the grill marks looked pretty nice. Next I wanted to add a condiment that was lower in fat and would compliment the bologna. I decided that a garlicy avocado spread would do the trick. Finally, I reduced the size by putting it on a slider roll and adding a little lettuce to it so that it isn't the belly bomb it originally was. They're now perfect for gameday because they've been reduced to finger food. You can never go wrong with finger food on gameday.


Grilled Bologna Sliders with a Garlic Avocado Spread
(serves 4-6)

1/2 lb sliced bologna (make sure not to have it sliced too thin)
1 avocado (soft)
1/4 small red onion, finely minced
1 very small garlic clove, finely minced (or passed through a garlic press)
1 package of slider or dinner rolls (I used potato dinner rolls)
lettuce
salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1.  Place slices of bologna on a hot grill or grill pan and heat through until grill marks form. This happens quickly, so keep an eye on them. Flip over and do the same on the other side. Remove to a plate and repeat until all the balogna is grilled.

2.  To make the avocado spread:  mash 1 soft avocado. Finely mince the onion and garlic and add to the mashed avocado. Mix thoroughly. Salt and pepper to taste. I used white pepper for this because I like the milder flavor.

3.  Cut the slices of bologna into quarters (to fit) and place on top of the rolls. Add the avocado spread and a slice or 2 of the lettuce (trimmed to fit the roll). Arrange the sliders on a platter and let the games begin.

I think you'll have fun making these and your guests will definitely enjoy taking a trip down Memory Lane with a new twist. And that ain't no baloney!

There you have it! See you back here next Wednesday for more gameday entertaining inspiration!