Recipe of the Week -- Pizza Sticks

All credit goes to Rachael Ray for this one...

So I have a confession. You know those pizza rolls? The ones that are REALLY bad for you, that you pop in the microwave or oven and they're gooey little bites of heaven?

I could eat them daily. And probably did for a time in high school.

However, in the interest of being more healthy, I found this recipe on Rachael Ray's website. I (naturally) adapted it a tiny bit, but most of it's exactly as she presented it.

Pizza Sticks

(pictured with peppered salami and grape tomatoes)

8 slices white bread, crusts removed (I use whole-wheat white)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
basil leaves
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups prepared tomato or pizza sauce, warmed (I use Trader Joe's marinara sauce)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Put slices of bread on smooth surface (I just used a cutting board) and use a rolling pin to gently flatten each slice. Place a basil leaf on each piece of bread, and cover with freshly shredded mozzarella. If you want more basil-y flavor, add another leaf. Roll up the bread and seal the edges. Lightly brush with the melted butter and pop in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they've browned a bit and the cheese is melty.

This recipe has so many alternate methods. I'm going to try it with chicken sausage soon. And making it spicier with some crushed red pepper. And perhaps adding some fresh parmesan. See what I mean? Perfectly good and pretty healthy...at least more so than the original. :0)