Italian Cups
16 slices of fresh good white bread
2 Mild or Hot Italian Sausage Links (approx 1/2 lb.)
3/4 cup of condensed milk (half & half or cream or milk)
1/4 to 1/2 Tsp diced fresh Rosemary
1/4 to 1/2 Tsp diced fresh Sweet Basil
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
2 Tbsp Flour
2 Tbsp Butter
Melted Butter
Black pepper
Cups: Using a rolling pin, roll out a slice of white bread then using
a large round cookie cutter or top of a glass press out a bread round.
Brush the top of the round with melted butter then press gently into
an ungreased muffin pan. It may help to pinch two sides of the round
and fold a bit to get them to fit. Don't worry if they don't go all
the way to the bottom. The idea is to make a little cup to hold the
mix. Save the trimmings to blend in a food processor for your own
bread crumbs. You can start the sausage while doing this part. Have
your oven preheated to 375 degrees. Place your muffin pan in the oven
and set the timer for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes check your cups now
for the beginning of slight browning around the edges of the cups.
When browning starts, remove from the oven.
Italian Mix:
In a nonstick sauce pan place sausage with casing removed and brown
til crumbled. Pour out the sausage when done. If there is a bit of
grease left, leave it in the pot.
Add 2 Tbsp of butter to the pot and melt at medium high temperature,
then slowly add 2 Tbsp of flour whisking or stirring until a slightly
nutty flavor appears. Do not get your roux too brown. Slowly add 3/4
cup of Milk slowly while whisking. Add the rosemary, basil and pepper.
Continue whisking and allow to come to a boil then remove from heat.
(When a boil is reached this is the thickest your roux will ever be.
No more boiling will thicken it further.) Add the sausage to the mix,
and a handful or about a cup of shredded mozzarella. Mix together and
salt at this time if desired.
Spoon mixture into cups. If you are going to serve this right away,
top each cup with shredded mozzarella, return to the oven at 375
degrees for 3-5 minutes. Remove and serve. If you are going to serve
this the next day, wrap tightly and refrigerate. The next day, top
with cheese and heat 3-5 minutes at 375 degrees. You may also Freeze
these as well.
As you can see, there are MANY possibilities for your Cups. Mexican,
Fruits, cheeses, Veggie Cups, and imagination city! :)
