Next week you'll be knee-deep in fireworks displays and Fourth of July barbecues. If you're celebrating at your place, odds are you're gonna have some food guests can grab before the grilling hits full swing. I'm guessing you're thinking chips, veggies, maybe pigs in blankets. Peel-and-eat shrimp if you're going all out this year. (And the hot girls from the office show up like they promised.)

Not cheeseburgers, though. They, unlike their party partner hot dogs, are all main dish. Even the little "sliders" don't show up before the fire gets rolling. Not wanting franks to get the double duty glory, burgers have now muscled their way into the pre-grill part of the party.

Cheeseburger Bites are ravioli-sized pasta pockets filled with ground beef, cheddar cheese, a little bit of chopped pickle, and some ketchup and mustard for flavor. A complete burger - with condiments - in a tiny pocket. Sound strange? It is. But after the staff and I tasted some at the BG Test Kitchen we were pretty surprised at how good they were. (And we're also thinking they're the ultimate bar food.)

Made from 100% all-natural ingredients, the Bites are easy to make. Just deep- or pan-fry until the shell is lightly browned (the insides are precooked), drain on paper towels and sprinkle on some salt and any other spices you want. Then serve with ketchup, barbecue sauce, A1 - whatever you usually eat on your burger. Just keep them away from the hot dogs. They're still a little jealous.

$9.99 for a one-pound bag.
Exclusively at www.alfonsogourmetpasta.com