Homemade Jalapeno Bacon Food

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.

BACON-JALAPENO STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter.
• In a large deep skillet, saute the diced bacon in 2 tablespoons butter for 5 minutes; transfer to paper towels.
• Season with salt and pepper and add the onion, celery, jalapeno, thyme and chili powder; cook 5 minutes.
• Pour in the chicken broth and simmer until step 5.
• In a large bowl, mix the eggs, pepper jack cheese and the bacon.
• Add to the bowl 8 cups toasted white bread cubes, 6 cups crumbled cornbread and the hot broth mixture.
• Gently toss the stuffing, then spread in the prepared baking dish. Dot the top with butter or turkey pan drippings, cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden, 20 more minutes.

HOMEMADE BACON

Steps:

• Rinse the pork belly and pat dry. Transfer to a resealable 2-gallon plastic bag. To make the spice rub, mix the kosher salt, pink salt, brown sugar, honey, red pepper flakes, paprika and cumin in a bowl. Coat the pork belly all over with the mixture.
• Close the bag and refrigerate 7 to 10 days, flipping once a day, until the pork belly feels firm. It should take 7 days for a thin belly that is about 11/2 inches thick, longer for a belly that's 2 to 3 inches thick.
• Remove the pork belly from the bag, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Refrigerate the belly on a rack, uncovered, 48 hours.
• Set up your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions using applewood chips, and set to 200 degrees F. Smoke the pork belly 3 hours, or until the bacon reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees F.
• Remove the rind (optional), then slice and cook as desired. To store, wrap the bacon in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 2 months.
• Pink curing salt is a mix of salt and sodium nitrite. It keeps the meat pink and protects it from bacteria. You can find it at specialty food stores or online.

JALAPENO POPPERS

Steps:

• Take one whole chilli and using a small sharp knife make an incision along the length without cutting all the way through. Open up the cavity and using the end of a teaspoon scrape out and discard the seeds and the membrane. It's very good idea to wear gloves when you're preparing chillies in this way, and make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Repeat with all the other chillies.
• Mix the cream cheese with the mozzarella, season with salt and pepper then use it to fill the chillies. Push them gently to close them up and wipe off any excess.
• Put the flour, egg and breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls or dishes and roll the stuffed chillies first in the flour then egg then breadcrumbs then repeat so they get a good double coating.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan until it reaches 160C. Carefully lower the chillies into the oil using a slotted spoon and deep fry in batches for around 2-3 mins or until deep golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to soak up the excess oil.
• Once the chillies are fried season them with pepper and salt and spread out on a plate or board so everyone can help themselves. Great with beer and a movie.

CHARRED JALAPENO POPPERS

Steps:

• Halve and seed the jalapenos.
• Roast on a hot grill just until skins start to turn dark.
• Slice the bacon strips in half.
• Fill the jalapeno halves with cream cheese.
• Wrap halves with bacon and secure with a toothpick.
• Bake in a 350 degree oven about 30 minutes or until bacon is done to your liking.
• Serve warm.

CHEDDAR-JALAPEñO DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Beat cream cheese and garlic powder in medium bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually beat in beer. Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Spread onto bottom of 1-1/2 qt. casserole or 9-inch pie plate.
• Bake 15 to 20 min. or until heated through.