Stuffed Jalepenos

With football season beginning, I thought I would post my favorite and most requested party appetizer, stuffed jalepenos. At the beginning of every football season, my husband fires up the grill, and twenty minutes later, we induldge in these salty, savory bites of heaven.

One note about jalepenos, I have discovered that jalepenos are much milder in the summer than the winter. This information is entirely based on my own observations, not grounded in any scientific data other than my mouth burning for hours when I make them for Superbowl parties. In the summer, a perfect amount of heat. Winter stuffed jalepenos are not for the faint of heart.

Here is the recipe.

Stuffed Jalepenos:

15 Large Jalepenos
1 pkg cream cheese, softened at room temperature
2 Tbl brown sugar
1 Lb bacon
Wooden toothpicks

Half each of the jalepenos lengthwise. using a spoon, carefully scoop out the seeds and core of each of the jalepenoes. A grapefruit sppon works very well for this process, if you have one. I also recommend wearing disposable rubber gloves to protect your hands. Fold the brown sugar and cream cheese together in a bowl. Using a teaspoon, fill each jalepeno half with the cream cheese mixture. Do not mound the cream cheese on the jalepeno, but level each half off with the cream cheese. if you mound it, the excess will just melt into the grill, making a mess. Lay the stuffed jalepenoes on a lipped cookie sheet.

On a cutting board, lay a strip of bacon. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the bacon into flat strips, working from the center of the strip to the edges. This helps the jalepeno to cook evenly. Lay a prepared jalepeno at one end of the bacon strip. Roll the jalepeno until it has been completely wrapped once with the bacon. Cut off the excess bacon and save for the next jalepeno. I can usually wrap 2 to 3 jalepeno halves with one strip of bacon. Secure loose ends of the bacon with a jalepeno.

Heat grill to high. Place jalepenos on the grill. Lower the heat to low, to prevent flare ups from the bacon grease. Cook jalepenoes for about 10 minutes. The more charred they are, the better they seem to taste. Alternatively, you can cook them in a 350 oven for 30 - 40 minutes.