Deep Fried Stuffed Jalapenos Food

SHRIMP-STUFFED JALAPENO POPPERS

Steps:

• Cut off the tops of the jalapenos and scoop out the seeds. Pat the shrimp dry and generously season with salt. Insert 1 shrimp into each jalapeno, leaving the tail sticking out.
• Whisk 3/4 cup flour, the cornstarch, Old Bay and beer in a medium bowl until smooth; set aside. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Whisk the remaining 3/4 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a shallow bowl.
• Working in batches, dredge the jalapenos in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip in the beer batter, coating the shrimp and jalapeno completely. Fry, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are cooked through and the jalapenos are golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; season with salt. Serve with malt vinegar.

DEEP-FRIED STUFFED JALAPENOS

Steps:

• Cut a short slit in the side of each jalapeno. Carefully scrape out as many seeds as possible, but avoid tearing or enlarging the slit. Stuff each of 8 jalapenos with about 1 teaspoon of refried beans. Stuff 8 more jalapenos with about 1 teaspoon peanut butter each. (The capacity of individual chiles will vary, but they should not be so full that the slits gape open.) Insert 1 strip of cheese into each of the 8 remaining chiles. On a plate, mix together the cornmeal, flour, and salt. In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk the eggs. One at a time, dip the jalapenos into the beaten egg and then roll them in the cornmeal mixture until well coated. Let the jalapenos stand on a rack for 30 minutes to firm the coating. In a deep fryer or in a wide, deep pan fitted with a deep-fry thermometer, heat about 4 inches of corn oil (the fryer or pan should be no more than half full) to 375 degrees. Working in batches and using a slotted spoon, lower the jalapenos into the hot oil. Fry, turning the chiles gently, until they are just crisp and golden, about 4 minutes. (Overcooking the chiles may cause the fillings to boil away.) With the slotted spoon, transfer the fried jalapenos to absorbent paper. Keep the chiles warm in a 250 degree oven until all have been fried. Serve them hot or warm, accompanied by sour cream for dipping.

JALAPEñO POPPERS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, then top with a wire rack.
• Halve jalapeños lengthwise. (Do your best to halve them through their stems for added visual appeal.) Using the tip of a small spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds. Set the halved jalapeños aside.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, cilantro, scallions, garlic and lime zest, if using; season generously with salt and pepper.
• Season the inside of each halved jalapeño with salt and pepper, then fill each with about 2 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture. (Fill until there's a slight dome on top.) Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with 1 piece of bacon, setting one tip of bacon on top of the cream cheese filling, then wrapping the bacon under and over the popper at an angle, so the bacon covers the filling on top in two layers. (The bacon will shrink as it cooks, so you want to make sure the top of the popper is well covered.) Arrange poppers evenly on the wire rack, nestling each popper between two parallel wires to keep it upright so the cream cheese doesn't spill during baking.
• Transfer to the oven, and bake until bacon is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Broil on the rack closest to the broiler until crisp, about 2 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm.

FRIED STUFFED JALAPENO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut stems from peppers.
• Remove seeds, using a small sharp knife (do not split peppers).
• Stuff each with pimiento cheese.
• Cover and chill at least two hours.
• Combine 1/4 cup flour, 2 tablespoons cornmeal, and next 3 ingredients; set batter aside.
• Combine remaining 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup cornmeal.
• Dip stuffed peppers in batter; dredge in flour mixture.
• Pour oil to depth of 2 to 3 inches in a Dutch oven; heat to 375º.
• Fry peppers, a few at a time, 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until golden.
• Drain on paper towels.