Jalapeño Poppers

One of my favorite appetizers are jalapeño poppers.  These are a great balance of spicy and soothing relief.  There are many variations and I will put a couple I love making the most on this page.

This will serve 3-5 people.   just cut recipe in half or double as needed

Ingredients:

• 1 lb any ground meat you like.  I have used, Elk, Boar, and Venison.  Pork and Beef will work as will Chicken and Turkey
• 15 Jalapeño's
• Daiya Coconut cream cheese. 
• 5 tablespoons spicy banana pepper relish (http://drummingupabettermeal.blogspot.com/2015/08/homemade-spicy-banana-pepper-mild-hot.html)
• 1 slice bacon per jalapeño popper

Basic Instructions for all options:

• Prepare Cream cheese by mixing the cream cheese with the relish.
• Prepare the ground meat
• by cooking in a pan with 1 tablespoon coconut oil and spices to preference on high ensuring that the smallest pieces of ground meat are created.   For a bit more kick I usually use my spicy BBQ blend or a harissa spice
• Brown the meat, if preferred you can go to the crispy side.

Instructions: (option 1)

• Cut Jalapeño's in half and remove the stems and seeds.. 
• Fill each half with cream cheese mix and cooked meat.
• Wrap with half of a bacon slice
• Cook in oven on 380 for about 20 minutes.  I sometimes do 425 or broil for 5-10 if in hurry.  Should crisp bacon and cook the jalapeño's. Now to prevent them from tipping over use Aluminum foil with ridges just wide enough to hold up the halves evenly.
• Serve and Enjoy

Instructions: (option 2)

• Core seeds out of whole jalapeño's
• Fill each with cream cheese mix and cooked meat.  Alternating for maximum coverage per bite.
• Wrap with a whole slice of bacon, trying to first cover the hole that removing the stem made.
• Cook in oven on 425 or broil for 10 minutes.  This should crisp the bacon and cook the jalapeño's  Now keeping these from tipping could be crucial.  There are reasonably priced devices which are designed for jalapeño poppers.  Anything with holes that will allow the peppers to stand up with bacon wrapped around them would be appropriate.
• Serve and Enjoy.