Stuffed Jalapenos With Smoked Gouda And Pineapple 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.

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.

STUFFED JALAPENOS WITH SMOKED GOUDA AND PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cut a slice off the stem end of each pepper, and use a sharp paring knife or pepper corer to scoop out the veins and seeds from the peppers (wear rubber gloves and avoid touching your eyes or nose).
• Mix together the cream cheese, Gouda cheese, bacon bits, pineapple, and about 1 teaspoon of reserved pineapple juice, or as needed to make a workable filling, in a bowl until thoroughly blended. Using a small spoon, stuff the hollow peppers with the cheese mixture.
• Place a rack or several disposable foil bread pans upside down onto a baking sheet. (See notes for how to make a pepper rack from a foil pan.) Stand the peppers, stem sides up, into the rack, and bake in the preheated oven until the peppers are softened and the filling is hot and bubbly, 30 to 45 minutes.

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.

JALAPEñO POPPERS

Steps:

• Soften cream cheese, grate the gouda, partially drain the can of crushed pineapple and combine all with the bacon bits.
• While that rests, cut the stem ends off 1 to 2 dozen jalapeños, depending on their size. Remove the seeds and the membrane. Using a small spoon or knife stuff each jalapeño.
• Place the filled jalapenos in a rack and cook on the grill or in the oven at 350° for 30-45 minutes, again, depending on the size.
• Keep some of the cheese mixture to serve with them because some of the cheese will bubble out. I use a foil bread pan and cut X's in the bottom, place upside down and press the jalapeños into each hole. Can usually get 6-8 in each. Makes cleanup easy, just throw them away after. I also have a jalapeño rack I got at a store, but the foil is way easier and will accommodate various sized jalapeños. All love these with the hot peppers and the sweetness of the pineapple. The smoked gouda is a nice touch and differs greatly from cheddar. Can also dice jalapeño to add to the cheese mix. ENJOY.