Inspiration Strikes Party Rolls

What if the secret to creativity isn't more options, but fewer?

In her book This Will Make It Taste Good, chef Vivian Howard challenges the conventional wisdom about inspiration. While many chefs wax poetic about farmers' market abundance and seasonal bounty, Howard offers a refreshingly honest take: she's not inspired by pretty tomatoes or even the admirable work ethic of her community.

Instead, Howard's creativity ignites at the intersection of purpose and constraint. When she knows what she wants to accomplish and faces clear limitations on how to get there, that's when the magic happens. It's a problem-solver's approach to cooking—one that recognizes even the greatest artists, from Rembrandt to modern chefs, have always worked within boundaries.

INGREDIENTS

¼ whole pineapple

⅓ cup unseasoned rice wine vinegar

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

¼ cup Quirky Furki (here)

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 package of 12 Hawaiian rolls

¼ cup mayonnaise

8 thin slices provolone

6 thin slices bologna

INSTRUCTIONS

Remove the core from your pineapple and discard. Cut the pineapple into slices that are roughly as thick as the slices of provolone. You will need just enough pineapple slices to make one layer inside your sliders. Marinate the pineapple in the rice vinegar for about 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Melt the butter and stir in the Quirky Furki and Dijon.

Drain the pineapple and shake off any excess vinegar. Slice the entire slab of rolls through the center to separate the top of the slab from the bottom. Put the bottom section on a large baking sheet. Spread the mayo evenly over that half. Shingle four slices of cheese over that. Top with a layer of pineapple, followed by the bologna. Finish with the last four slices of cheese, then cap with the bread lid. Pour the Quirky Furki butter evenly over the top.

Bake on the middle rack of your oven for 20 minutes. The cheese should be melted and the tops of the sliders should be browned and a bit crisp. Cut into individual rolls and serve.