Before I know it I am going to be headed off to Philadelphia to Eat. Write. Retreat. and I can’t tell you how excited I am!
A neat part of Eat. Write. Retreat is “The Amazing App Culinary Challenge”……I received an exciting package in the mail filled with all sorts of goodies from OXO as well as my special ingredient for the challenge.
My challenge; to create a delicious and unique appetizer with California Ripe Olives! Did you know that California produces 95% of ripe olives in the U.S and are grown on more than 1000 multi-generational family farms! I am raising the 5th generation on my family farm so I know exactly how BIG of deal that is!
My head was spinning with ideas as olives are incredibly versatile, but I wanted to stay true to myself and create a great “country style” appetizer that is easy to make and has simple ingredients that are available at my small town grocery store.
My favorite way to eat olives is on Pizza and thus my inspiration for these absolutely delicious, ‘small town and country’ approved Pizza Potato Bites were born!
Pizza Potato Bites
8 large potatoes, sliced
1/4 cup butter, melted
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, if you like a little spice
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 green pepper, very finely diced
1/2 cup diced pepperoni
1 can of California Ripe Olives, drained and sliced
Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Melt butter and brush over both sides of potato slices. Place potatoes on two baking sheets and bake for 40 minutes in oven, turning half way.
While potatoes are baking, mix cream cheese with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes and set aside.
Remove potatoes from oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
Top the potato bites evenly in this order; cream cheese spread, pizza sauce, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, green pepper, pepperoni, and olives.
Return to oven for 10 minutes to melt cheese.
Serve hot!
