Let me tell you - if you try only one appetizer for the rest of the year, it should be this one! Yeah, that's right - it's only February and I've already called it. These things ROCK! They were a huge hit and they were better than your typical jalapeno poppers because they were wrapped in bacony goodness. Yum!
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Thingies
thepioneerwoman.com
fresh jalapenos, 2-3 inches in size
cream cheese, softened
thin, regular bacon, sliced into thirds
Cut jalapenos in half, length-wise. With a spoon, remove the seeds and white membrane (the source of the heat; leave a little if you like things HOT). Smear softened cream cheese into each jalapeno half. Wrap jalapeno with bacon piece (1/3 slice). Secure by sticking a toothpick through the middle (At this point you can freeze them, uncooked in a Ziploc bag for later use.).
Bake on a pan with a rack in a 375-degree oven for 20-25 minutes. You don't want the bacon to shrink so much it starts to squeeze the jalapeno. If, after 20 minutes, the bacon doesn't look brown enough, just turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes to finish it off. These are best when the jalapeno still has a bit of bite to it.
Serve immediately if you want 'em hot, or they're great at room temperature.
MacGourmet Rating: 5 StarsLabels: appetizer, bacon, cream cheese, easy, jalapeno, pioneer woman, ree drummond, wow