Jalapeno Popper Totchos Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, Cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Spoon this mixture into the jalapeno pepper halves.
• Put the milk and flour into two separate small bowls. Dip the stuffed jalapenos first into the milk then into the flour, making sure they are well coated with each. Allow the coated jalapenos to dry for about 10 minutes.
• Dip the jalapenos in milk again and roll them through the breadcrumbs. Allow them to dry, then repeat to ensure the entire surface of the jalapeno is coated.
• In a medium skillet, heat the oil to 365 degrees F ( 180 degrees C). Deep fry the coated jalapenos 2 to 3 minutes each, until golden brown. Remove and let drain on a paper towel.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet.
• If you have them, slip on some latex gloves for the pepper prep. Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise. With a spoon, remove the seeds and white membranes (the source of the heat; leave a little if you like things HOT). Smear cream cheese into each jalapeno half and then wrap with a bacon piece (1/2 slice). Secure by sticking a toothpick through the middle. Place on the rack in the baking sheet.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. (You don't want the bacon pieces to shrink so much they start to squeeze the jalapenos.) If after 45 minutes the bacon doesn't look brown enough, just keep cooking until the bacon is sizzling.
• Serve immediately, or they're also great at room temperature.

Steps:

• For the filling and cream cheese topping: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Raise the heat to medium high and add the jalapenos and onions. Cook, stirring for a minute or two, then add the chicken in an even layer. Sprinkle over the taco seasoning, add a pinch of salt and cook, without stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir, then continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through, an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Squeeze over the lime juice and remove from the heat.
• Add the cream cheese and sour cream to a bowl and mix until well combined. Stir in the lime zest and season with the hot sauce.
• For the tacos: Serve the chicken mixture, bacon and cream cheese topping alongside each other with the crispy taco shells, shredded Cheddar and minced jalapenos, then have everyone make their own tacos.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, then top with a wire rack.
• Halve jalapeños lengthwise. (Do your best to halve them through their stems for added visual appeal.) Using the tip of a small spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds. Set the halved jalapeños aside.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, cilantro, scallions, garlic and lime zest, if using; season generously with salt and pepper.
• Season the inside of each halved jalapeño with salt and pepper, then fill each with about 2 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture. (Fill until there's a slight dome on top.) Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with 1 piece of bacon, setting one tip of bacon on top of the cream cheese filling, then wrapping the bacon under and over the popper at an angle, so the bacon covers the filling on top in two layers. (The bacon will shrink as it cooks, so you want to make sure the top of the popper is well covered.) Arrange poppers evenly on the wire rack, nestling each popper between two parallel wires to keep it upright so the cream cheese doesn't spill during baking.
• Transfer to the oven, and bake until bacon is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Broil on the rack closest to the broiler until crisp, about 2 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm.