Tag: snack

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

Summer is great for grilling! There are a few recipes I return to again and again and these bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are one of my favorites. They’re easy, delicious and a great starter at dinner time.

If you give them a go please leave a comment on my YouTube video and let me know how they turned out. Enjoy!

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HARDWARE:

• Large bowl, spatula + tongs
• Grilling pan / tray
• Water squirt bottle (for grill flare-ups)

INGREDIENTS:

  • 5 large jalapeño peppers
  • 5 strips of thick bacon (pepper bacon)
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup parmesan Reggiano 
  • 1/4 tsp cumim
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1 tsp granulated onion
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Set grill to medium-high heat.

In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sharp cheddar, parmesan, cumin, paprika, garlic, onion and cayenne pepper. Add a few grounds of fresh black pepper to taste and set aside.

Cut the bacon length-wise to create 10 thin strips. These are easier for wrapping and will stay curled around the poppers on the grill.

Using a pairing knife, cut each jalapeño length-wise from tip to stem. Scoop out the ribs and seeds with a spoon. For extra heat you can dice the ribs and add it to the cream cheese mix. If you have sensitive skin, you may wish to wear food gloves for this step. If you don’t, just remember to wash your hands.

Add a heaping portion of the filling to each half of the peppers. Make sure all the peppers are filled evenly before wrapping with the bacon.

Wrap each pepper with a strip of bacon, starting at the stem end in a spiral. Make sure the twist it tight and press the bacon into the filling. Repeat until all the peppers are wrapped.

Place the peppers on your grill pan and grill for about 20-30 minutes being careful to watch for flareups. Keep a squirt bottle handy to extinguish flames and remember to move the poppers around so they cook evenly.

Serve immediately with the dip of your choice and enjoy!

My New Favorite Thing: Birds Eye Cauliflower Tots

Birdseye's new cauliflower tots are super yummy

I’ve eaten quite a few tater tots in my day. I just love them which is why I’m so excited something new and better has finally come along. Imagine the best tater tot you ever had and then imagine it being a pale imitation of what tater tots are supposed to be, that’s Birds Eye Cauliflower Tots. They take everything you’ve ever loved about traditional tuber tots and raise the bar.

Made from just a few simple ingredients (unlike the 10+ ingredients in Ore-Ida Tater Tots), Birds Eye tots are slightly larger than your normal tot, but that’s not all. When baked they are very crispy on the outside and super creamy on the inside. If you’ve ever eaten a fondant potato from a fine dining restaurant, then you know what I’m talking about.

I was skeptical when Mindy suggested we try them, she’s been on a cauliflower kick for the past few months, but I have to say I’m so glad we did. About the only downside of course, is the price. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not that expensive – a bag of Cauliflower tots will run you just $3 at Target or $4 at your local grocery store but it only contains about 4 servings as compared to ten servings from Ore-Ida. So if you’re buying for a large family you’ll have to buy a few bags to stock up. The extra cost is well worth it however because they are simply delicious. They also have less sodium, less saturated fat and fewer carbs than regular tater tots.

Next time you’re grocery shopping pick up a bag (or two), try them out and let me know on Twitter how you liked them. I’m willing to bet you’ll never want to eat regular tater tots ever again.

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Apple Freak

Lately I’ve found myself addicted to apples. No, not the kind that I usually write about, but an actual piece of fruit. You know, the kind you eat? I only recently discovered Gala apples and ever since I first had one at Panera Bread a few months ago, I can’t get enough of them. Ask any of my friends if I’m the type of guy that can be seen with a heart healthy snack in his hands and they would likely belly-laugh and tell you to go away.

Lately I’ve been warming up to the idea of eating more fruits and vegetables and the unassuming Gala apple has been leading the charge. If you’ve never had one, next time you’re in the produce section try and pick one up. They are softer than most apples with a thinner skin and a slightly sweeter taste than most. Developed in New Zealand in the 1920s by orchardist J.H. Kidd, Gala apples are a cross between a Golden Delicious and Kidd’s Orange Red. They resist bruising and are quite easy to eat. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy apples give them a try. They’ve easily become my new favorite snack and they could become yours too.