Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers!

I planted four jalapeno pepper plants this year and you wouldn't believe how many peppers I had and I am still getting off of them.  It was crazy!!!   Evidently the horribly hot weather is just what these plants crave!!!  I always plant a few each Spring, but I have never had so many peppers!   I have been trying to use them in as many ways as possible.   These "Jalapeno Poppers" turned out to be one of my favorites.   I have always loved any type of 'popper' when ordering appetizers at a restaurant so I figured this would be right up my alley!!!   These are great for serving at parties or for game day food!   Here is what you will need:

18 large fresh jalapeno peppers

1  (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

pinch of Cajun seasoning (I use Tony Cachere)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

18 slices of bacon cut in half

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and any membrane inside.  It's best to wear gloves for all of this and do not rub your eyes until you remove them.

In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, seasonings, and shredded cheddar cheese.   With a spoon, stuff each pepper half and then wrap with a half slice of bacon.   You can secure with a toothpick which is nice for serving, but the bacon will usually stay wrapped without one also.    Place on a baking sheet covered with nonstick foil or sprayed lightly with nonstick cooking spray.  

Place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the bacon is done.   Serve immediately.  These are good served with ranch dressing for dipping or really they are great just alone.  They disappear fast!!!  

Mini Jalapeno Popper Crescents!

These "Mini Jalapeno Popper Crescents" are a yummy little appetizer you can put together with a few ingredients you probably usually have on hand.   These can also be made up earlier in the day and refrigerated on a cookie sheet until ready to bake so they are perfect for parties.  These would be so good for your Super Bowl party!

 Here is what you need:

1 (8 oz,) can refrigerated crescent rolls

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1/3 cup pickled jalapeno rings, diced

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

5 strips of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Separate the crescent rolls into the precut triangles then cut each triangle in half lengthwise.

I a bowl mix the cream cheese, diced jalapenos, and garlic powder.  Place the dough on a sheet pan covered with nonstick foil or you could use parchment paper.  Spoon about a Tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture on the widest part of the dough.  Sprinkle each one with some of the crumbled bacon.  Sort of press the bacon into the cream cheese.

Roll up like you would a crescent roll.  Bake in a 375 degree oven on the center rack for 13 -15 minutes or just until golden brown! This makes 16 appetizers.  For bigger parties, you can easily double the recipe!

These are so tasty, hot right out of the oven!  Make plenty because they will go fast!