Hickory Smoked Jalapeño Poppers Food

SMOKED GOUDA-CHORIZO JALAPENO POPPERS

Steps:

• Special Equipment: parchment paper
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brown chorizo in a skillet over medium-high heat, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place into a large mixing bowl. Add the cheese, red onion, egg, cream cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, and salt and pepper, to taste. Press into jalapeno halves and assemble on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

BBQ JALAPENO POPPER CHICKEN THIGHS WRAPPED IN BACON

Steps:

• Flatten each chicken thigh with a heavy pan or meat hammer or whatever you have.
• Stuff each jalapeno halve with about a T of cream cheese.
• Place the jalapeno in the chicken thigh and roll it up (doesn't matter if it closes all the way).
• wrap each chicken thigh with 2 strips of bacon.
• Bake in 325 oven for about an hour
• For best results setup charcoal grill for indirect cooking (charcoal on one side meat on the other).
• Cook low n slow for about 2 hours.
• Baste with bbq sauce the last 30 minutes.

SMOKED STUFFED CHILE POPPERS

Steps:

• 1. To make the popper filling, combine the cheeses in a medium-size bowl and stir them together with a fork. Put the cheese mixture in a gallon-size zipper-top plastic bag and cut a small hole in one corner of the bag. Squeeze each jalapeño full of the cheese mixture. Place the cheese-filled jalapeños in the egg carton. Push a pecan half into each pepper. Wrap a half strip of bacon around each jalapeño and secure with a toothpick.
• 2. Fill your charcoal chimney with briquets, set the chimney on the bottom grill grate, and light or prepare a fire in your smoker. For a gas grill, turn half the burners to high.
• 3. When the coals are ready, dump them into the bottom of your grill, and spread them evenly across half. Scatter the drained wood chips on the hot coals, or put the dry wood chips in a metal container and place closest to a burner on a gas grill. Place the jalapeños on the indirect side of the grill. When the smoke starts to rise, close the lid.
• 4. Smoke the peppers at 350°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes until the bacon is cooked and the jalapeño have a smoky aroma.

JALAPEñO POPPERS WITH SMOKED GOUDA

Steps:

• Start the coals or heat a gas grill for medium direct cooking. Make sure the grates are clean.
• Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise but leave the halves connected at the stem. With your finger or a pointed spoon (like a grapefruit spoon), remove the seeds and white ribs from the halves. (Wear rubber gloves, or be careful not to touch your skin after handling the chiles.)
• Put the cream cheese and Gouda in a medium bowl with a little salt; mash until combined. Fill the jalapeño halves evenly with a small spoon and press the halves back together to close. (You can fill and refrigerate the jalapeños up to a day ahead.)
• Put the jalapeños on the grill directly over the fire. Close the lid and cook, carefully turning once, until the peppers have softened and browned (it's okay if they char in spots) and the cheese has melted, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve.
• Variations:
• Honey-Orange Jalapeño Poppers: In Step 3, fill the jalapeños with a mixture of 1 1/2 cups crumbled fresh goat cheese (6 ounces), 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon grated orange zest, and salt to taste.
• Jalapeño Poppers with Pimento Cheese and Pepper Jelly: In Step 3, fill the jalapeños with with a mixture of 1 cup grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese (4 ounces), 1/4 cup each chopped drained pimentos and mayonnaise, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Serve topped with a dab of pepper jelly.
• Pesto Jalapeño Poppers with Mozzarella: In Step 3, fill the jalapeños with a mixture of 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella (6ounces) and 1/4 cup basil pesto. Serve the poppers topped with fresh basil leaves if you like.

JALAPENO POPPERS

Steps:

• Cut jalapenos in half and remove seeds and veins.
• (Use gloves to work with peppers).
• Fill jalpenos with cream cheese and wrap a slice of bacon around each one.
• Secure with a toothpick.
• Bake at 425 degrees until bacon appears to be done, about 15-20 minutes.