Make one or two or more - pop 'em on the grill or in the oven. Let's talk the basics of these stuffed jalapenos (the perfect app)! P.S., if you're looking to make a platter of hearty meat-filled jalapenos, try my Stuffed Party Jalapeno recipe.
Ingredients - the Basics
- Fresh jalapenos, at least 3 to 4 inches long
- Plain cream cheese, 1-3 Tablespoons per jalapeno (I prefer the whipped kind)
Ingredients - the Mix-Ins
You have many choices to mix into your cream cheese. Try one or more of these:
- Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Bacon bits
- Chopped red or green onions
- Squirt of lime juice
- A dash of chili-lime seasoning
- Finely chopped jalapenos
Ingredients - the Toppings
Try one of these to be super-awesome:
- Shredded cheddar
- Slices of bacon (wrap around the jalapeno and secure with a toothpick)
- Crushed BBQ potato chips (yaaaaaaas!)
Preparation
- Cut the stem end off your jalapenos and split them in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and innards, then rinse to make sure you've removed all the seeds. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE! (Learned that one the hard way - wash the pepper oils off your hands well.)
- Stir your mix-ins into your cream cheese. Fill each jalapeno to the top with the mixture -- do not overfill.
- Place filled jalapenos on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with your toppings (pressing gently into the cheese mixture to make it stick.)
- If you are wrapping in bacon, make sure you use thin slices to cook well. An alternative is to cook the bacon halfway in the microwave, then cool so you can handle it. Wrap around the jalapeno and use a toothpick to secure it. NOTE: Quite honestly, mixing bacon bits into the cheese is the same flavor and much easier to cook and eat.
Cooking & Serving
Expect about 30 minutes to cook. In the oven: Bake at 425 until cheese looks melted/bubbly and the toppings are golden-brown. On the grill: Grill over medium-high heat until toppings are golden-brown. You'll notice the bottoms of the jalapenos will get charred -- you can flake off the black skin if you wish (taking care not to spill the cheesy insides!).
A Little Backstory:
Just a bonus tip -- grill some half limes and serve with the apps! Grilling fruit brings out the juice and gives it a gorgeous smoky flavor. Perfect for squeezing over whatever you're serving (and bonus-bonus ... grilled lime is spectacular in cocktails)!
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