Appetizer: Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

So excited to be back online! Computer is now fixed and now I have more recipes to try and post (the stack is piling up like crazy I might need a new apartment for all of them). I found this in Everyday With Rachael Ray (April 2010). I love pepperoni! This could be easily meat-free too for those vegetarians out there.

Ingredients:
Puffs-

• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
• 4 ounces pepperoni, cut into small cubes (about 1 cup)

Additional (can be optional)

• 1/2 cup store-bought pizza sauce
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Grease a 24-cup mini-muffin pan
   

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder, then whisk in the milk and egg. Stir in the mozzarella and pepperoni; let stand for 10 minutes

3. Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, around 20-25 min. Sprinkle the puffs with the approx 1 tablespoon basil

4. When ready to eat/serve microwave the pizza sauce until warmed through, then stir in 1 tablespoon basil. Serve the puffs and red pepper slices with the pizza sauce for dipping

A couple of suggestions is playing with the spices (think garlic, red pepper flakes), meat (ham) and cheese (cheddar might be good). Enjoy!