Guest Post: Pepper Poppers

So, i've been a bit MIA lately, obviously. While I have many pregnancy-related excuses for my lack of blogging, I have now entered the second trimester and hope to get back onto the cooking train REALLY soon. In the meantime, my amazingly awesome oldest sister has graciously offered up a guest post for today! Pretty sweet, right?

Here goes!

Post submitted by LM Long

Pepper Poppers

This recipe came from loving the idea of Jalapeno Poppers, more than Jalapeno Poppers themselves.  I searched the internet for an easy way to do Jalapeno Poppers without having to heat up a big old vat of oil, and this little beauty of a recipe popped up.  I did some needed adjustments to my own personal taste (who doesn't love bacon), and voila! A Pepper Popper that's much more delicious than the greasy things you get at restaurants.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with Pam.

What you'll need:

1 8oz thing of room temperature cream cheese (sorry not pictured, pop it in the microwave for twenty seconds to get it to room temp quickly *make sure to remove foil first)

3-5 strips of bacon (depending on how much you love bacon) or even easier, 1/4 cup of bacon bits

1/4 cup of your favorite shredded cheese (I use a mozzarella blend)

a couple of stale slices of bread

1/4 cup of powdered parmesan cheese

and some of your favorite seasoning mix (I'm using a garlic bread mix, but italian or taco seasoning will do)

and the best part. . . .

1 plastic tub or bag of multi colored peppers (find them in the produce aisle)

 

 First rinse your peppers and slice them in half.

You're trying to create little pockets of love.  After they're all sliced and lined neatly on your cookie sheet, we're going to create the mix.  Now if you're not using bacon bits (I never do), just pop your bacon in the microwave between some paper towels and zap it for a few minutes.  Throw the crispy strips in a blender or small food processor and pulse until nice and crumbly. Mix those bacon bits with your cream cheese, shredded cheese, and seasoning mix.

Put the mix to the side and let's make the bread crumbs.  I'm going to step on a pedestal for a minute. Please, PLEASE never buy store bread crumbs.  They are gross, people.  Homemade bread crumbs take seconds, and are so much more delicious. Stepping down now.  Throw your stale bread (I use the ends of my bread that no one ever eats) and the parmesan cheese into a blender or food processor and pulse until crumbly.  That's it!  Easy bread crumbs.  

*side note, you can also use corn flakes, ritz crackers, or whatever it is YOU use for bread crumbs

 

Now line up your bowls so you can stuff and then dip into the bread crumbs.  Here is me stuffing my pepper, use the back of a spoon to minimize mess.

Then you'll press the pepper, cheese side down into the breadcrumbs.

When your cookie sheet is full, you're going to stick them in your 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until the tops are nicely browned and your bottoms are starting to look a little withered. Let them sit for about 10 minutes, trying to resist all that gooey cheese.  
My daughter couldn't resist :) (From Kimi here, check out my adorable niece!)

Awesome, right?! I'm going to have to make these soon! I actually love jalepeno poppers, but the grease can be a bit overwhelming at times. Don't these just look much more appetizing? Thanks sis!

For more from my sister, who is an AMAZING writer, check out her website HERE! She is also the author of Founder which you should all go out and read RIGHT NOW. :)