All Things Jalapenos Part I

Jalapenos have become one of my favorite food groups lately along with other hot flavors like Siracha and Harissa. They just add so much to the palate and make your tastebuds crave more!

Thus, (and as I promised earlier this week) I will be posting a few more appetizers in anticipation of several "party events" (NFL Playoffs, Superbowl, Oscars, March Madness to name a few) coming up in the not too distant future! 

So...here are two more (fairly cheap) ways to bring "kick" into off-campus apartment cooking and appetizers!!

--Part 1 (a simple twist on an old classic): The Jalapeño-Kissed Bacon-Wrapped Date.
--Part 2 I recently discovered at a potluck party, and is slightly more involved, but will satisfy any 'jalapeño-craving' you might have! I'd call it "Stuffed Jalapeño Skins". 

A. Jalapeno-Kissed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

The most important parts of this recipe are the bacon and dates really--if you have nothing else...this remains a great appetizer with just that!

Equipment:

Baking sheet with rim

Ingredients:

Medjool Dates, pitted

Bacon

Manchego Cheese

Jalapeno, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

3. Make an incision lengthwise and remove the date pits. Do not halve the dates!

4. Cut cheese into wedges and stuff date.

5. Use 1/2 slice bacon and wrap the whole thing up. Use a toothpick to hold in place if you need to.

5. Place your jalapeño slice on top of the dates. (If you preferred less charred jalapeños, wait to place them on top of dates 10 minutes into the baking.)

6. Bake in oven 20-25 minutes and make sure bacon is fully cooked and crisp.

Definitely awesome little chewy bites packing some punch and heat! A reasonable rule is to assume there won't be any left...so make a lot of these guys unless you, your roommates and/or other friends are vegetarian.

Great way to impress a date on Valentine's Day! Make sure you have some cool cards...V-Day is coming soon!

Oscar Worthy Feta Dip

Just about this time of the year I start planning our annual Oscar party.  In the weeks leading up to the big night, I try multiple recipes in a trial and error approach, looking for flavor, novelty and simplicity in preparation.  The overriding challenge for me is to find interesting, but delicious foods for our guests as we fill out our ballots and try to pass as film critics.

That said, most of the recipes I use will be easy to make, no special cooking skills or equipment, and packed with flavor and depth--just plain good food--exactly what this blog is about for college students.

If you are like me, you know that the hummus, cheese platters, veggies with Ranch are getting "old"--so take a look at this dip for the next tailgating party or when your friends stop by to hang out.  Try something new, even if simple and thrown together in 5 minutes. The fresh herbs here make all the difference. If you can, use them!

Try this dip in pita pockets, sandwiches, or the Chicken Souvlaki skewers I posted over the summer.  

(Adapted from www.pipandebby.com cooking blog)

Equipment:

Medium Mixing Bowl

Measuring cups and spoons

Spatula

Chopping Board 

Knife

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups crumbled feta

1 1/2 cups of sour cream

3 green onions, sliced then chopped

2garlic cloves, minced / chopped

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 Tbls of fresh oregano, chopped

1/2 lemon, juice

Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Combine all the ingredients into a medium bowl.

3. Mix well.

4. Let it sit and chill until ready to serve.

5. Open up a bag of pita chips, pita bread, make a sandwich or dip those awesome chicken skewers in this fresh, rich and sumptious sauce.