Jalapeno Pepper Poppers
- 12 large jalapeno peppers
- 4 Cheddar cheese sticks
- 24 pieces center-cut bacon
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Special equipment: 12 toothpicks, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- Preheat a grill to medium heat.
- Cut about 1/2-inch off the top each jalapeno pepper.
- Take the top pieces that you just cut off, cut the sides off and reserve, discarding the middle stem pieces.
- These will be used to plug the open end of each pepper to help keep the cheese from melting out.
- Using a straight peeler, scrape out the seeds and ribs from the inside of each of the peppers.
- Slice each cheese stick into pieces that are just slightly shorter than the jalapenos.
- Stuff a pepper with a piece of cheese.
- Take the reserved side pieces and place them into the open end of the pepper, covering the cheese and plugging the hole.
- Take a piece of bacon and wrap the pepper from the bottom end to the top end, making sure to secure the "plug" at the top end.
- Take a second piece of bacon and lay it down on a clean work surface.
- Roll up the pepper so that it is almost completely covered in bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Repeat with the remaining peppers, cheese, bacon and toothpicks.
- Sprinkle each with chili powder.
- Place on the grill, cover and cook over indirect heat until the bacon is crispy, 15 to 20 minutes, making sure to turn every 3 to 4 minutes.
- While the poppers are grilling, combine the sour cream, cream cheese and honey in a small bowl.
- Mix until well blended and serve with the poppers.
- Cook's Note: The poppers can also be made in the oven.
- Place the poppers onto a baking sheet fitted with a rack that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Bake in a 400 F degree oven until the bacon is brown and crispy, 15 minutes.
peppers, cheddar cheese sticks, center, chili powder, sour cream, cream cheese, honey, toothpicks
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/jalapeno-pepper-poppers-recipe.html (may not work)