Jalapeno Poppers plus bonus dip

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.

Fruit Dip

Okay...it's so hard

1 8 oz. cream cheese softened

1 jar marshmallow cream

Mix. Done. Enjoy. Possibly share:)

Kelsey's Sausage Dip (aka Tom's dip)

We have made this three times this month. It is a winner.

Cook and drain 1 pkg Jimmy Dean sausage
Add 1 pkg cream cheese
Once blended, add 1 can of Ro-tel

Serve with crackers or chips.

By posting this, I have already made someone's day.

Chili's Southwestern Eggrolls

1 skinless chicken breast
1 Tbsp oil
2 TB minced red bell pepper
2 TB minced green bell pepper
2 TB minced green onion
1/3 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup black beans
(drained & rinsed)
2 TB diced jalapeno pepper
1/2 Tb parsley
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
dash of cayenne pepper
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
flour tortillas
oil for frying

Grill chicken. It is snowing here so I just baked the chicken. Set it aside. Heat oil in skillet and saute peppers and onion for a couple of minutes. Add cooked chicken, corn, beans, jalapeno, parsley, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper. Stir well and cook for another 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add cheese. Soften tortillas in the micowave. Eric taught me this next trick. Cut off 2 parallel curved edges. After putting a spoonful of the filling inside, fold curved tortillas edges in and roll up the straight edges. Roll tight. To hold it, pierce with a toothpick or two. Freeze for at least 4 hours. I just make a whole bunch and freeze overnight. When ready to cook, preheat oil to 375. Deep fry. If using a fryer it doesn't take long so watch it. Mine took 6-7 minutes. Presentation=cut eggrolls diagonally lengthwise. Okay, make the avocado dip and get ready for a celebration.
Avocado Dipping Sauce
1/2 avocado smashed ( I used more)
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 sour cream
1 TB buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp white vinegar
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp parsley
dash dill
dash garlic powder
dash pepper

Mix ingredients. Garnish with tomato & onion. Instead of buttermilk, I just poured a little ranch dressing in. Enjoy. Careful how much you enjoy these...they could ruin your new years resolution:)
Adapted from Top Secret Restaurant Recipes #2 Todd Wilbur
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