Jalapeno Poppers + Pickles | Cooking Up A Storm with Jacob

If you’ve got a garden and you’ve been having a bumper crop like Jacob, he’s got a way that you can keep enjoying your summer produce all Fall and Winter long!

Jalapeno Poppers | Homemade Pickles | Pickled Jalapenos | Pickled Banana Peppers | Pickled Red Onions

Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients:

– 12 jalapeno peppers (3-4 inches long)
– 1 – 8 oz block cream cheese (softened)
– 1 C cheddar cheese (shredded)
– 1/2 t onion powder
– 1/2 t salt
– 1/2 t pepper
– 1/2 t paprika
– 1 T minced garlic
– 12 slices of bacon (no thick cut)

Directions :

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet with parchment paper, or use foil and non-stick cooking spray.
2. Cut the jalapenos in half longways to make 2 boats for your mixture. Scoop out the seeds and the white flesh with a spoon and dispose.
3. In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and the seasonings together until well blended.
4. Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture.
5. Cut the slices of bacon in half crosswise and wrap each half of jalapeno pepper with a slice of bacon. Use a toothpick to secure the bacon.
6. Arrange the peppers on your baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and browned. Serve immediately.

Tips and Tricks:

• Use this oil spritzer to spray your oil onto foods. It’s better than the store bought which has chemicals and fillers normally.
• The more seeds and the more white flesh/ribs you remove from your jalapeno, the less heat that will be present. If you like spice, leave some of the flesh behind.
• Use whatever seasonings you desire. I love the smoky flavor that Paprika gives the poppers.
• Use this non-stick cooking spray container to hand pump your oil. It works very well.
• Freeze your jalapeno poppers individually on a tray and then place them in a bag together after several hours of freezing. This will let you bring them out when you’re ready.
• If you want, you can also add breadcrumbs to the top before you add the bacon. The best thing to do is to pre-brown them in the oven for a few minutes before adding them on top of the cheese mixture. This helps ensure an even brown coating.

Homemade Dill Pickles

Ingredients:

– 2 to 3 cucumbers, or 12 ounces Persian/English/mini cucumbers (sliced into coins/spears/ribbed coins)
– 3 cloves garlic, or 2 T minced garlic
– 1 T dill
– 1 c Water
– 3/4 c White Vinegar
– 1 T kosher salt
optional seasonings: black peppercorns, mustard seeds, crushed red pepper flakes (1 t each)

Direction:

1. Trim the ends from your cucumbers and slice into spears, coins or use this crinkle cutter to make pickles with ribs. Set aside in 1 quart sized mason jar.
2. In a microwaveable glass bowl/Pyrex bowl, make your brine. Combine your water, vinegar and salt. Heat in the microwave until boiling.
3. Stir your brine with a whisk until the salt is dissolved. Let cool slightly before pouring over your cucumbers in the jar.
4. Add seasonings on top. Seal the lid and shake. Let cool completely before placing in the fridge.
5. Wait at least 24 hours until eating the pickles. The longer you wait, the more flavor you’ll have.

Pickled Jalapenos

Ingredients:

– 10-15 jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced
– 2 garlic gloves, whole & peeled (or 2 T minced garlic)
– 1 c distilled white vinegar
– 1 c water
– 1/3 c sugar
– 1 T sea salt

Directions:

1. Cut your jalapenos thinly, separate and place into a quart sized mason jar.
2. Add your garlic clove to the mason jar.
3. In a microwaveable glass bowl/pyrex bowl, make your brine. Combine your water, vinegar, sugar and salt. Heat in the microwave until boiling.
4. Stir with a whisk until the salt and sugar is dissolved.
5. Pour the brine over the jalapenos and let cool to room temperature.
6. Wait at least 24 hours until eating the jalapenos. The longer you wait, the more flavor you’ll have.

Pickled Banana Peppers (or any peppers)

To make any pickled peppers, follow the pickled jalapeno recipe, but use your favorite peppers in place. I love making banana peppers. You can also experiment with other types of vinegars if you so desire.

Pickled Red Onions

I made pickled red onions a while back on Cooking Up A Storm when it was on ciLiving.tv. Check out my recipe for that below! It was a part of grilled chicken sandwiches which were excellent as well!

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