Jalapeño Poppers

These Jalapeño Poppers are a family favorite.  They are quick, easy, and don't break the bank, either.

Ingredients:

• 12 Jalapeños, cut in half length-wise, de-seeded
• 1 block cream cheese
• 1 pack of bacon, cut in half length-wise
• Lime juice (optional)

Instructions:

Wash and rinse the jalapeños.  Remove the stems and cut the jalapeños in half length-wise.  Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and white part of the walls (where the capsaicin is stored).  If you leave seeds and part of the white wall in, these poppers will have more heat.

Halved jalapeños

Slice off small slices of cream cheese and insert these into the inside of each jalapeño half.  More cream cheese = creamier end product with less heat.

Cut the bacon in half length-wise.  (ex., if you have bacon that's 10 inches long and 1 inch wide, you will now have two pieces that are 10 inches long and 1/2 inch wide). 

Wrap each jalapeño half, with cream cheese inside, in a half piece of bacon.

Spritz with lime juice if you are concerned about spice.  Some jalapenos are very hot by nature and others very mild.

Heat dutch oven using 16 coals on bottom and 14 on top.

Cook for 40-50 minutes.

Results from my test run at home.