Grilled Jalapeno Poppers with Apollo's Praise Cabernet Franc

These bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers are creamy, slightly spicy and loaded with cheese.

The jalapenos are sliced in half and the seeds and ribs are removed. Then they are soaked in Ice-Water and vinegar which helps temper the heat and makes the peppers crisp and crunchy. Soaking the peppers still gives you the flavor of the pepper, but not the burning heat. Note that it NOT take all the heat out, but lessens it.

You definitely want to avoid thick cut bacon here as it takes way to long to crisp up and can cause the poppers to be over cooked. The jalapenos get wrapped in half a slice of bacon and then secured with a toothpick. You can remove the toothpicks before serving, or leave them in for people to grab off the party platter. Whatever you prefer!

You can even fill and wrap the jalapenos up to 8 hours before you plan to bake them, simply store them in the fridge until you’re ready to go.

Ingredients:

12 jalapeno peppers approximately 3-4 inches long
1 8 ounce block cream cheese softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 mini red or orange peppers minced
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Juice of 1/2 lime
12 slices bacon do not use thick cut
cooking spray
Toothpicks
Sour Cream, guacamole, salsa: Optional for serving

Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Grill or if you are using the oven, to 400°F.
Step 2: Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and ribs. Place jalapenos in a large bowl and cover peppers with cold water, Ice and 2 caps of Apple cider vinegar. Directions Below:

Soak: Submerge the prepped peppers in a bowl of ice and apple cider vinegar.
Duration: Leave them to soak for 30 to 60 minutes.
Dry: Pat them completely dry before stuffing or cooking so your filling sticks properly.

Step 3: Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the bacon.

Lay the bacon strips side-by-side on a baking pan. They can touch, but do not let them overlap, as this will prevent them from crisping evenly.
Par bake the bacon: Place the tray on the grill OR if using the oven onto the middle rack and bake at 400°F. WATCH CLOSELY: Only bake until the bacon is partially cooked. This usually only takes about 5-7 min depending on oven or grill.

Step 4: In a medium bowl mix together the cream cheese, minced peppers, cheddar cheese, cumin, onion powder, lime juice, salt and pepper.
Step 5: Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture.
Step 6: Cut the slices of bacon in half crosswise and wrap each pepper half in a slice of bacon, using one to two toothpicks to secure the bacon.
Step 7: Arrange the peppers on a baking sheet and place on grill on med-heat or into the pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy and browned.
Step 8: Serve immediately with sour cream, guacamole and/or salsa if desired.

Paired with Apollo's Praise Cabernet Franc

Grilled Jalapeno Poppers with Apollo's Praise Cabernet Franc

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