Jalapeno Pimento Cheese

Y'all, I have a true affinity for Cheese. White cheese, yellow cheese, Pepper-Jack cheese.... Shredded cheese, Cubed cheese, Nacho cheese... you name it! Anything with the word cheese in it is always at the top of my list!

When we first moved to the GBC I had been told by several women from my women's group to try a local "eatery"/ "tea room"/ "deli", but I had to catch them while they're open. The quaint restaurant/shop is only open a couple of days out of the week AND just for a few hours each day (mostly just open for lunch). The tea room has a strictly limited, but very delicious menu. Fine by me. I  truly think places that have a smaller menu means everything on the menu is their "specialty".

One day I was able to make it into the tea room a couple of hours before they closed for the day. And as I sipped on some fruit infused tea I browsed the menu options. One of the items listed on the menu was their Jalapeno Pimento Cheese and Bacon sandwich. Think of a BLT but without the L or the T and replace those with spicy Pimento Cheese. Say whaaaaaaat?! Where has this been my whole life?! Bacon + Cheese in between some sandwich bread, and I'm all in.

One bite and I was sold. As soon as I took that first bite I knew I would want to come back for more.. and more.. and more, but I was super limited with their hours of operation. Total bummer.

So, being the problem solver I am, into the kitchen I went for a little recipe development...so to say.

I kept telling B about this wondrous Bacon and Jalapeno Pimento Cheese sandwich, and I assured him it was the best thing that has ever happened to me! Well, besides him, of course! And my kittens. And, my puppies. But you get the idea. This sandwich freaking rocked my world, and my mouth off! I kept telling him: "Babe, you HAVE to try this sandwich"... "You don't know true love until you've tried this sandwich"... "Come on Babe! Don't you want this sandwich too!?"

With little response... I took it as a "yes, honey please make me this amazing sandwich you speak of"

So, since I'm SO happy to please, I knew first things first! I had to create the Perfect Jalapeno Pimento Cheese - I had the bacon part down, and after all, it's the Pimento Cheese that makes this sandwich so spectacular.

Once, I made it, I knew I could use it in various areas of my life. 

For example, I took as a dip to a party I recently hosted. (#perfectpartydip)

I also just ate it in spoonfuls (#noshame)

And, then, y'all.. then, I made the sandwich. (see below)

So there are a couple of things that really make this pimento cheese so great. 

First, you must make it with freshly GREATed cheese. (see what I did there?) Takes a couple of minutes to grate your own, but makes all the difference. 

I used a medium block of sharp Cheddar cheese (approx. 2 cups shredded cheese)

Also, be sure to use fresh, seeded jalapenos.

Use 2 small, or 1 large jalapeno(s), finely chopped.

You'll also need some mayonnaise, cream cheese, and, well, Pimentos!

Once you mix all the ingredients together be sure to place in the fridge for half and hour or so to chill.

Then, to compile your B+JPC sandwich:

use toasted wheat bread

slather on the Jalapeno Pimento Cheese (JPC)

 then top with cooked (crispy) bacon (B)

Then, eat eat eat! 

Enjoy!

 Then tell the world how Jalapeno Pimento Cheese has changed your life for the better. 

And, if you're looking for something a little lighter, you can also stuff this Jalapeno Pimento Cheese in Celery Sticks like I did here.

Jalapeno Pimento Cheese

by: Amanda Hicks (recipe adapted from allrecipes.com)

Makes 3 cups

Ingredients 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional) 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1 large jalapeno pepper (or 2 small), seeded and finely chopped (optional) 1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimento, drained garlic salt and black pepper to taste Instructions Using a rubber spatula combine all ingredients into a large bowl, until mixed well. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 1/2 hour to chill. Serve cold

Texas Tailgate Torpedoes (a.k.a. Jalapeno Poppers)

Yippee! Football Season is upon us! 

I absolutely love Football season. Cheering for your favorite teams, the clatter of cheers and commentators fill the house all weekend long. And, my ultimate favorite: Football/ Tailgating Food! It's the perfect excuse to whip up something warm, cheesy, spicy, and oh so Yummy! Guilt free, of course. Cause after all, you need some food fuel to help you cheer on your team to a championship... right?!

First up on the Football Food menu: Jalapeno Poppers! You just simply cannot go wrong. The perfect combination of cheese and spice and everything nice (+ a little Bacon). 

Texas Tailgate Torpedoes (a.k.a. Jalapeno Poppers)

These poppers are perfection. Simple, quick, and did I mention wrapped in Bacon?! Regardless of who is winning on the field, you'll be a winner in the kitchen with these Texas Tailgate Torpedoes.

Here's what you'll need:

• Fresh Jalapenos 
• Cream Cheese
• Mexican Shredded Cheese
• Bacon

Start by rinsing and cleaning your peppers, then lay them out to dry. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Set your cream cheese out to allow it to thaw to room temperature (for easy mixing, of course). 

Next, carefully slice your peppers length-wise and remove the seeds. I find it easiest to scoop the pepper guts out with a spoon. Wash your hands thoroughly and avoid hand contact with your face. Your fingers will be spicy. Or use gloves. 

Combine softened cream cheese and shredded cheese to make the pepper filling. 

Once cream cheese filling is mixed, evenly scoop the filling into each pepper half. Then lay one piece of bacon flat onto a cutting board.

Wrap the bacon around the pepper filled with cheese to create a neat little torpedo. Place each bacon wrapped pepper on a foil lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pepper halves. 

Once all the peppers have been stuffed and wrapped into little torpedoes. Bake in the oven at 375 for 20 to 25 minutes. 

Turn up the oven to 425 and continue to back for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Depending on how crispy you like your Bacon. Be sure that the cheese does not completely melt out of the peppers while cooking. That would be a sad, sad thing...

Once the peppers reach your desired level of bacon crispy-ness, remove the torpedoes from the oven and carefully place on a paper-towel to drain the remaining bacon grease and to cool. Serve warm & Enjoy!

Texas Tailgate Torpedoes (a.k.a. Jalapeno Poppers)

Ingredients:

• 7 fresh Jalapeno peppers
• 8 oz stick of Cream Cheese
• 1/2 cup of Shredded Mexican-Style Cheese
• 14 Slices of Bacon

Instructions:

• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
• Rinse and clean peppers, lay out to dry
• Cut peppers length-wise and remove seeds
• Combine Cream Cheese and Shredded Cheese until mixed well
• Stuff each pepper with cream cheese filling then tightly wrap with one slice of bacon
• Repeat for remaining pepper halves
• Place bacon wrapped peppers on a foil lined baking sheet
• Bake wrapped peppers in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes
• Turn oven up to 425 degrees and continue to cook peppers and additional 10 - 15 minutes until bacon starts to become crispy on the outside
• Remove peppers from oven and place on a paper towel to drain grease and cool
• Serve warm and Enjoy!