Grilled Spam & Havarti Sliders with Baby Beets and Apple Orange Marmalade Slaw
Slaw
2 large bunches fresh baby beets (10-12 small beets)
1 large Granny Smith apple
1 lemon
1/3 cup orange marmalade
2 tablespoons orange blossom honey, optional
Sliders
6 mini pretzel rolls (sliced)
1 large can (12 ounces) Spam
6 slices havarti cheese
At home: Cut the greens off the top of the beets, leaving a 1-inch stub of greens to hold onto. Cut off any bottom roots and peel beets with a vegetable peeler or small paring knife, holding by the small stub. Holding onto the stub, grate beets into a bowl (using the large-hole side of the grater), and toss remaining stub in garbage when grated almost down to the stub; place peeled beets in a medium size disposable plastic bag and place in cooler with ice. Wash hands immediately after handling to remove dye on fingers (or wear kitchen rubber gloves when peeling and grating beets).
At the game: Pour off any excess beet juice from the bag (be careful, stains very easily). Peel and grate the apple directly into the plastic bag of beets, squeeze the juice of 1 lemon to the mixture; add orange marmalade and honey; mix all together with a disposable (or metal) spoon. Spread beet mixture evenly on a 12-by-12-inch square of heavy duty aluminum foil, leaving a 3 inch border all the way around. Make a sealed foil package: bring two sides together at the top/middle. Make a 1-inch seam and fold over two times. Flatten package with the folded seam in the middle. Make 1-inch seams (folded over twice) at each end and press into a flattened package. Grill on low 20-25 minutes, turning once. If package poofs with steam, press down lightly to remove steam and re-flatten.
When done, open package carefully. Serve warm, or cooled, as a relish on sliders or as a side with the Apple Cider Brined Turkey Legs.
For the sliders: Slice Spam into ½ inch slices (lengthwise) and cook over medium heat turning occasionally until nicely brown and bubbling, about 2 minutes per side. Place one slice of Havarti cheese on each piece of Spam until slightly melted. Place sliced pretzel rolls on top shelf in grill, move to indirect heat or wrap in foil and leave in the grill for 2-3 minutes to warm.
Place slice of Spam with melted cheese on warm pretzel roll and top with warm Baby Beets and Apple Orange Marmalade Slaw.
Serves six; appetizer portions.
Lori Wiktorek