Appetizer,  Food,  Healthy,  Meat,  Spicy,  Vegetables

Baked Jalapeño Poppers

October 9, 2012 /

Waking up to these cool mornings makes me happy.

Walking to my car in the morning to head to work with the brisk air hitting my cheeks and taking a deep breath in of the crisp scent of Fall.

Can you tell I love Fall?

It reminds me of family, gathering with friends, riding on hayrides, apple cider doughnuts, tons of delicious food and {dare I say it} Christmas planning!

There is just something about this time of year that makes me happy, to my bones just happy.

Whether it is cuddling up with a book and reading in front of the fire or working on a cross-stitch while watching a movie (yes I cross-stitch, don’t judge me, I have an old soul! 😉 ); something about the colder months brings me peace.

Perhaps it is because I went to school in a place that was colder 3/4ths of the year. State College was always a little cooler than any place else. Might be because it was in the mountains.

But now that I am thinking about it, maybe that is part of the reason I love Fall so much. Starting school with a new year ahead, new exciting classes, experiences and people. Football starting with a full season of games to go to. Getting back together with friends that you haven’t seen for months over the summer.

I think a large reason I love Fall so much is because of my Mom.

My Mother is one of those people that just makes you feel amazing around the Holidays. She liters her home with little keepsakes and things that make you feel warm on the inside.

Her spirit and love of the Holidays is something that I hope I can continue with my family as I get older. My nephews, who call her Nana, don’t get to see her that much because they live back in Kansas City. I wish they could be around to see her house and taste her food.

She always includes you when she is cooking something for the Holidays. She is the ultimate caregiver in every single way. If there was a super hero Mom, she would be it.

I value my time with family and friends, but I have learned especially to value your time with the people you love. You never know how much time you will have with them so you need to soak up every last ounce of them to make sure that you don’t miss a thing.

This past weekend my Mom and I spent some time in the kitchen making some delicious snacks. Something that I have to say has become one of my favorite things to do.

We decided to pull a twist on one of my Dad’s favorites. Jalapeño poppers. Normally you see them battered and deep fried. Well, because of health issues my Mom can’t eat foods like that.

Her and I are always trying to find a happy medium between what she can eat and what the boys will still enjoy. Believe me, it is NO easy feat!

In an effort to still give them something they think is bad for them but is really more healthy we decided to use a couple of her new AWESOME tools.

Ever heard of a Jalapeño corer? This has got to be one of THE best inventions ever. You know those pesky seeds in the jalapeños that are SO hard to get out when you make poppers?

NO MORE!

This corer takes those seeds out in one foul swoop. How amazing is that?? I have to say, it not only makes it much easier but it also makes it so you avoid touching really hot parts of the jalapeños that can leave your fingers on fire after you are done.

Really it is a win-win.

We also used a Jalapeño Pepper Roaster. Another super smart invention that makes it possible to stuff the peppers and then either grill or bake them with less mess AND they don’t lay on a cookie sheet.

Man, there are some smart people out there inventing these things.

Had to of been a woman 😉

Ingredients for Poppers:

  • Jalapeños, fresh and cored
  • Cream cheese, room temperature
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Jack Cheese, reserve some for topping
  • Chives
  • Cayenne
  • Pepper
  • Bacon, cooked half way

I didn’t put the measurements because it really depends on how many poppers you are making and how spicy you like things (or don’t like things), and if you accidentally make too much filling, you can use it for all sorts of things. You can also add crab-meat, chopped shrimp, chicken. You can also change the cheeses to anything you like, use all cheddar, all monterey, or whatever cheese you love, the possibilities are endless!

Preheat oven to 425º

Once you have cored your jalapeños, place them in the roaster. If you don’t have a roaster, putting them on a cookie sheet will work it will just be a little messy. So line that sucker with some parchment. If you do have a roaster OR you decide to get one. I recommend lining a jelly roll pan with foil and placing it on that if you are cooking the poppers in the oven. If on the grill, you are good to go.

Combine your cream cheese, sour cream, cheese, chives, cayenne and pepper. Set aside. You really want to make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before you work with it. It will make things SO much easier for you. I promise.

Wrap each jalapeño in you bacon that has been cooked half way and secure with a toothpick. This gives the poppers and extra crunch.

Take a pastry bag, and pace the filling into it. Cut the bottom of the bag, but make sure you do not cut it too large for the tops of the jalapeños.

Pipe the filling to the poppers. You can overfill them, it won’t hurt them. Sprinkle remaining cheese in top of each popper.

Place in the oven and cook for about 20-25 minutes or until desired doneness.

They should be melty and gooey and totally delicious in no time flat! They aren’t super pretty, but they taste fantastic!

Btdubs, did you know that a jalapeño only has 5 calories?! Pass the poppers please!

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