Jalapeño poppers
Jalapeño poppers come from Texas bar menus and backyard barbecues, and they are now a staple of tailgate parties and game nights across the United States. Fresh jalapeños are halved and seeded, filled with a smoky cream cheese and cheddar mix and baked under buttery breadcrumbs until the peppers are tender and the filling bubbles. Many versions are wrapped in bacon; this one is vegetarian. They contain milk and wheat. Cheddar is often made with animal rennet, so choose a vegetarian one if needed. The common mistake is leaving in the white ribs: that is where most of the heat lives, so scrape them out for a milder popper, and wear gloves or wash your hands well before touching your eyes. Doneness: the peppers should be soft enough to pierce easily and the crumbs golden. Chef's tip: mix a spoonful of the crumbs into the filling itself; it soaks up any oil and stops the cheese sliding out.
























