Jalapeno Cream Cheese Bacon Appetizer
Jalapeno Bombers with Cream Cheese and Bacon Appetizer
When you think of spicy food and jalapenos, what food comes to mind? Mexican food, I have always been a fan of the Mexican cuisine. In my opinion, the Mexican cuisine is not just a spicy and greasy cuisine that most would prefer to think, it is a cuisine rich in flavor as well as history.
The birth of the Mexican cooking is as colorful as the cuisine itself. It all started with the 1500s when the Spanish came to land in Mexico. With the Spanish’s arrival, they brought with them food such as lamb, beef, cheese, milk, citrus fruit, pork, garlic, wine, wheat and vinegar. It was in 1521 that Mexico was successfully conquered by the Spaniards. With this, the Spanish and Indian cooking ingredients were thus combined with the addition of vanilla, chocolate, corn, squash, beans, coconuts, tomatoes, avocados and chili. As a result, the flavor of the traditional Mexican cuisine was created.
The two Mexican foods that are closely associated with the cuisine are corn and pepper. This is because these two ingredients are native to the place. Corn has been an important part of the Mexican culture. From it, several foods have been innovated from the pure ingenuity of the people. Examples of such are the famous tortilla breads and shells. When we speak of pepper on the other hand, it is a popular spice that accompanies Mexican food perfectly. From this, a common erroneous belief about the Mexican cuisine is that all of the Mexican foods are spicy.
This is definitely false. There are a lot of spices that are connected with Mexican cooking. Numerous spices are authentic to Mexican dishes such as vanilla and chocolate. Therefore, apart from the spice dishes that Mexican cuisine is known for, it offers sweet treats as well. The Mexican cuisine that we know as of today is actually not just a mix of Spanish cuisine; it is also a blend of food and recipes from the French, Caribbean, African and South American cuisine. During the middle of the 19th century, Mexico was ruled by a former Austrian archduke named Ferdinand Maximilian.
He was primarily the person responsible for incorporating the French cuisine into the Mexican cuisine. He introduced the French tastes and flavors not to mention the delicious French wines. One of the notable combination of the French and Mexican recipes that are still popular as of present are the "chiles en nogado" and the "conejo en mostaza." Truly, Mexican cuisine is a blend of several foods from all the diverse cultures rolled into one delicious cuisine! A sad report from a Mexican journalist was that the Mexican cuisine is slowly dying.
She says that this is so due to the rise of the fast foods and the supermarkets. She reports that the authentic and genuine ingredients that make Mexican cuisine stand out is not anymore supplied because these ingredients are easily perishable. This is a very troubling statement since the Mexican cuisine is a very important aspect in the very soul of the culture of the Mexican people.
It is true that the Mexican cuisine is full of seasoning and spices. To add flavor and spice, Mexicans mix in chilies such as jalapeno, ancho, and serrano into their cooking. These chilies can be used in different forms. You can use them fresh, powdered, or even dried. These spices are then added to their food such as in salsa, soups, and sauces.
The peppers, or chili peppers, have been a part of cooking in America ever since 7500 B.C. It was even found out that the chili peppers were one of the first crops that were cultivated in Central and South America. History reveals that it was in the Caribbean that Christopher Columbus discovered these spices and then called them "peppers."
After this, there was global cultivation of the said spice that even reached far flung nations such as the Philippines, India, China, Japan, and Korea. Even until today, the chili peppers are considered to be an important aspect in several other cuisines other than the Mexican cuisine. Since then, the Mexican people collect wild chili peppers and cultivated them. They used them not just for cooking, but for its ability for preserving meat and fish since it was found to have anti microbial properties.
Did you know that the chili peppers are technically a fruit specifically a berry? Generally, the chili peppers is a fruit but is classified as a vegetable. The chili peppers are not just rich in flavor; it is also rich in vitamins and minerals as well. It is packed with vitamins A and C as well as iron, potassium and fiber.
Another amazing fact about the chili pepper is that it has more than 150 variations! It comes in different shapes, colors, sizes, flavors and level of spiciness or hotness. Did you also know that when the chili pepper is dried, it may have a different name? It is true. The fresh ones are named differently than those that are dried. Since Mexico is a large and diverse nation, so is its cooking. Consequently, the chili peppers are used in a variety of ways. Other than the spicy flavor that the chili peppers possess, it is also used for the subtle flavors that it has.
There are seven types of chili peppers that are vital to cooking:
Jalapenos Peppers - this type of chili pepper are oftentimes used in salsa or just simply pickled. The jalapeno is a very hot variety of chili peppers that are becoming very famous these days. It turns from green to purple and then to red when it is finally ripe. The jalapenos are probably the most popular among all the chili peppers.
Poblano Peppers - this type of chili pepper is the largest all throughout Mexican cuisine. These peppers may range in hotness or spiciness and has an innate earthy taste when roasted.
Ancho Peppers - this type of chili pepper is just the dried poblano pepper. It is the most commonly used pepper and is usually utilized in making different sauces.
Serrano Peppers - this type of chili pepper is used in preparing salsa. It has a hot flaming flavor and is bright green.
Habanero Peppers - this type of chili pepper is considered to be the hottest of all chili peppers. It is used as an ingredient in making salsa.
Chipotle Peppers - this type of chili pepper is the dried version of the jalapenos that have been smoked. It is used as an addition to sauces for it to have a smoky taste.
Fresno Peppers - this type of chili pepper is the miniature version of the sweet green pepper and are primarily used in guacamole and black bean dishes.
One of my simple recipes so that you can appreciate the chili pepper for its exquisite taste is what I call my jalapeno bomber with cream cheese and bacon. It is one of my appetizer recipes that is easy and fun to make plus, it literally bursts will deliciousness.
Jalapeno Cream Cheese Bacon AppetizerIngredients:
- Jalapeno peppers
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon
Method:
- Wash and rinse the jalapeno peppers.
- Cut the stems off and slice them in half.
- Stuff the cream cheese into the jalapenos and sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
- Then, using a slice of bacon, wrap it around each pepper.
- Bake it in the oven set to 450 degrees for about 10-15 minutes or until the bacon is thoroughly cooked.
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About the Author
Interests: I enjoy sharing quick and easy home made recipes. My favorites are Mexican Recipes, Pizza Recipes, and Simple Desserts. Thanks for viewing my collection of home made recipes.
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