These are wonderful.
Ingredients
18-20 jalapenos (18 halved directions below plus save 2 for the dip)
2 bricks cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup red pepper diced
1/4 cup onion diced
Cheese I used a mexican blend one time, a cheddar blend another time, and parmesan another time. I prefer the parmesan. I am going to guess that it is 1/2 - 1 cup.
A package of bacon Cut in 1/2 and then cut again. It doesn't take that much to go around the jalapeno.
Toothpicks
Here we go. Take cream cheese out of the fridge. Go outside and help son with water balloons. Check with husband about the placement of planting the peach trees. Come back in and check to see if the cream cheese has softened. On a cutting board, dice the red pepper and onion and place in bowl. Nerdy me, I then put on gloves. I wash the jalapenos first. Pat dry. Cut the top off with the stem. Cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Put the seeds in the plastic produce bag they came in. Don't just rise down the drain unless you feeling like coughing, choking, or crying. Remember you are going to be doing 18 of these things. When I get done I place the jalapenos on a baking sheet. I then put the cream cheese, cheese, red pepper and onion in my KitchenAid and mix. Put a small spoonful of the dip into the halved jalapeno. Wrap with bacon. Secure the bacon with the toothpick. Cook at 375 for 20 minutes. Anyone who visits while these are cooking will invite themselves to stay.
Okay, what if you have extra cream cheese mix. It is your lucky day!
Make it as a dip.
Jalapeno dip
You should have about 6 quarters of bacon left. Cook and crumble into the dip. You should have 2 jalapenos left. Follow same instructions as above except dice the jalapeno after seeds removed. Mix in to leftover cream cheese and bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Serve with warm bread or wheat thins. This dip may be more enjoyable for those who don't like things too spicy.
Both are winners!
PS for you Todd I added no onions on your birthday:)
recipe adapted from my husband Eric, friend Kurt Jensen, and the pioneer woman.
