Many of you out there may be gearing up to host your own Thanksgiving tomorrow. Perhaps it's old hat for you, and you could truss a turkey with your eyes closed. Or maybe it's your first Thanksgiving as a hostess, and you've been researching turkey cooking methods for weeks. But, if you're reading this, there's a strong chance you're like me: still (somehow, at age 27) a "kid" and attending Thanksgiving at your parent's house, or your aunt and uncle's, or what have you.
When attending as a grown-up-kid, it's recommended you bring something, whether asked to do so or not. One can never go wrong with a bottle of wine, and it could also serve as a gentle reminder that you would like to not be seated at the Kid's Table with your nine year old cousins.
Cookies, pies and all that good stuff are also always stellar choice, but I tend to be full by the time dessert rolls around; so I usually opt to prepare an appetizer. And then I eat approximately 60% of whatever app I brought. And drink 100% of the wine.
It's the thought that counts?
Anyway. Recently a friend of mine told me about her go-to bring-to-party app: jalapenos wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese.
Um. Exsqueeze me?
So, since she got this amazing thought in my head while I was vacationing in Disney World recently, I couldn't wait to try them once I got home. I will definitely be making these little beauties to bring to my aunt and uncle's tomorrow. Took all of a few minutes to prep, and about 15 in the oven. The jalapeno's heat is tempered pretty well by the cream cheese and baking time--you could keep them a little on the spicier side by leaving the ribs somewhat intact.
Enjoy. And, if you must, get drunk at the Kid's Table!
Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos
with cheese
What it's Made of:
- 10-12 good-sized (like 3" long) jalapenos; halved, ribs and seeds removed
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar or Montery Jack cheese (or both!); shredded
- Salt, pepper, Adobo, cumin, paprika (and whatever other seasonings you enjoy that seem applicable)
- 20-24 strips thick-sliced bacon (1 per jalapeno half)*
*I only used half a strip on bacon when I made these, which was a mistake. The bacon shrunk as it began to cook and didn't stay neatly wrapped like I had wanted on many of these. Plus, with more bacon to seal it in, you can load in some more cheese. Win/win.
How it's Made:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Spray a RIMMED baking sheet with cooking spray*
- Take jalapeno halves, spread liberally with cream cheese
- Add a generous helping of cheddar
- Sprinkle liberally with salt, pepper, and seasonings (cumin was a good call)
- Wrap each half tightly with a slice of bacon
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until bacon is crisp and cheese is beginning to ooze out
- Allow to cool slightly before serving
- NOM
*apparently, our landlord confiscated my rimmed baking sheet to catch oil in our basement from when our oil heat needed to be filled.
A-thanks, Howard
B- Do not cook these on a standard cookie sheet like I did. The bacon crisped up fine, but the grease from the cheese and cooking spray dripped off and basically smoked me out of house and home. So, yeah, don't do that. But do make these. Immediately!
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