Umami-Bomb Sliders

Serves: 16 sliders

While small, these sliders are big on taste thanks to their umami punch.  Ketchup is already a source of umami, but with the addition of sun-dried tomatoes, it becomes even more umami focused.  The hamburger mixture is spiked with umami with additions of Worcestershire sauce, MSG, and dry-cured pepperoni.  The sliders are then finished with still more sources of umami–cheddar cheese and parmesan crisps. Together, it makes for a very satisfying slider!

Sun-dried tomato ketchup

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Combine ketchup and sun-dried tomatoes.

Parmesan Crisps

Ingredients

  • 3 oz. finely grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with a silicon baking mat or piece of parchment.
  2. Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese such that the entire sheet is covered.
  3. Bake in a 350˚ F oven until the crisps turn light brown.
  4. Remove from the oven and let cool. Once cool, they will become very brittle. Break into pieces as needed.

Burger Mix

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon MSG
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 oz. dry-cured pepperoni, sliced thinly and finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Mix together until homogenous.
  2. Form into 16 patties.
  3. Grill or sauté burgers until cooked to desired doneness.
  4. Lightly toast the hamburger buns in a hot oven or on a grill.
  5. Assemble the sliders by first placing a slice of tomato on the bottom bun, followed by red onion, hamburger, cheddar cheese, sun-dried tomato ketchup and finally broken pieces of parmesan crisps. Finish with the top of the bun.

To finish the sliders

16 small pretzel rolls (or other slider-sized buns), 16 thin slices of ripe tomato, red onion, thinly sliced, sun-dried tomato ketchup, 8 cheddar cheese slices, cut in half