Eating with your fingers is fun — I’m not embarrassed to do it, even in public. That’s one of the reasons why bar food, along with the spicy, crunchy salt coating, is so darn satisfying.
I don’t believe in giving up anything when it comes to food, but I don’t want my nibbles to take up my whole allotment of fat for the day. I created this version of jalapeño poppers that are baked but still have the yummy contrast of creamy filling with crunchy breadcrumb coating.
While it’s fun to meet friends out for munchies and a glass of wine at the bar, when the weather gets rainy and chilly, I’d prefer to do more entertaining in my home. Making treats like this — served alongside a crudité platter, or maybe a plate of toast with cream cheese and smoked salmon — makes an easy, light spread to catch up over the latest gossip.
Baked Jalapeño Poppers
Makes 24 poppers
12 fresh jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise, stems, seeds and membranes removed
1 8-ounce bar reduced fat cream cheese
1 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, slightly crushed
1 teaspoon mild ground chili
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 egg
2 egg whites
1/2 cup wheat flour
1 cup seasoned dry breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat baking sheet with nonstick spray and set aside. In a large bowl, mash together the cream cheese, mozzarella, cumin seeds, mild chili powder and black pepper. In a shallow dish, whisk egg with egg whites. Spread the flour out on a sheet of wax paper. Spread the breadcrumbs out on another sheet of wax paper.
Fill the hollow of each half pepper with a heaping tablespoon of the cream-cheese mixture. One at a time, dredge in the flour, dip into the egg whites, then press into the crumbs to coat. Repeat with remaining peppers. Place the coated peppers, cut side up, on baking sheets and bake until the peppers are tender and the crust is golden, about 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
One serving (1 popper): 70 calories, 3 grams total fat, 1.8 grams saturated fat, 177 milligrams sodium, 6 grams total carbohydrate, 4 grams protein
Learn more about Jennifer at skinnychef.com, and read her exclusive Slashfood blogs every Monday and Friday.
Filed under Articles by on Dec 27th, 2009. Comment. 
Ingredients
12 fresh jalapeños
3 ounces coarsely grated Cheddar (1 cup)
3 ounces coarsely grated Monterey Jack (1 cup)
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3 large eggs
1 cup plain fine dry bread crumbs
2 teaspoons dried oregano
About 4 cups vegetable oil
Equipment:
a deep-fat thermometer
Preparation
Cut a lengthwise slit from stem to bottom of each chile. Make a crosswise incision at stem end, forming a T.
Pry open enough to hold back long cuts (to expose ribs and seeds), then devein and seed using tip of a paring knife and kitchen shears.
Stir together cheeses, hot sauce, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon salt.
Fill chiles with cheese mixture, pressing seams closed after filling, so that cheese is compacted and chile retains its shape.
Lightly beat eggs in a small shallow bowl. Stir together bread crumbs, oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in another shallow bowl.
Dip chiles in egg, letting excess drip off, then coat with bread crumbs, transferring to a work surface. Repeat coating with egg and crumbs to form a second layer.
Heat 2 inches oil to 325°F in a medium saucepan. Fry chiles in 3 batches, stirring occasionally, until golden brown all over, 5 to 6 minutes per batch. Transfer to several layers of paper towels to drain. Return oil to 325°F between batches.
Filed under Jalapeno Recipes by on Nov 12th, 2009. Comment.
