Appetizers: Hot or Not? Take Your (Super Bowl) Pick

In Foodie Tips & Tidbits by Christine McKellar

Trying to please everyone’s palate at a Super Bowl  tailgate or homestead party can be tricky at times. Food allergies aside, sometimes you CAN please just about everyone. Here are four yummy appetizer recipes to choose from; two are hot and filled with spice, two are tasty, mild and nice! Aw, what the heck–serve up all four and make everybody happy!

Some like it hot….

Grilled Jalapeño Bacon Wraps

Ingredients:

6 fresh jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

12 slices bacon

Directions:

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat (or use oven broiler).  Spread cream cheese to fill jalapeno halves. Wrap with bacon. Secure with a toothpick.  Place on the grill, and cook until bacon is crispy.

 

 Sausage Jalapeño Poppers

Ingredients:

2 (12 ounce) packages ground sausage

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

30 jalapeno chile peppers

1 pound sliced bacon, cut in half

Directions:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place ground sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.  Drain sausage and place in a medium bowl. Mix with the cream cheese.  Cut jalapenos in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Stuff each jalapeno half with equal portions of the sausage and cream cheese mixture. Wrap with half slices of bacon. Secure bacon with toothpicks. Arrange wrapped jalapenos in a large, shallow baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 20 minutes, or until the bacon is evenly brown.

…some  do not.

SIMPLE SIMON ROLL UPS

Ingredients:

5 slices cooked ham

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

5 dill pickle spears

Directions:

Lay the ham slices flat on a serving plate and pat dry. Spread with cream cheese. Place a pickle spear at one end of each slice, and roll the slices into cylinders around the spears; secure with toothpicks. Cut into bite size pieces and serve.

 

BLT DIP

Makes 3 cups

Ingredients:

1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

2 medium tomatoes , seeded and finely chopped

1 teaspoon McCormick® Onion Powder

1 teaspoon Lawry’s® Seasoned Salt

DIRECTIONS: Mix all ingredients in large bowl until well blended. Cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with crackers or toasted bread slices.