On the Fourth of July, I attended a barbecue, wearing my flag pin upside down (of course).
The company was great - I was on vacation in Montana and my welcome among old and new friends was warm and welcoming.
My life was enriched that day - not only by sauerkraut salad, the marinated and smoked pork chops, and the endless amount of food - but by the "chef's" specialty...poppers.
Poppers are bright, firm jalapeno peppers stuffed with your choice of cheese and wrapped in bacon. They are grilled until the bacon is done, the pepper charred, and the cheese melted.
Now, I've never had poppers before, but the chef, let's call him Ron, makes them perfectly and doesn't have anyone to share them with because they're slightly hot and as far as I could see, only four of us including him, ate them. Problem is, he didn't make enough, and when we hauled our bellies out of there, we didn't think we'd be hungy for more poppers at 8 that evening. But we were. As for me - I couldn't sleep because all I could think of were the darn poppers.
So we went back, hoping there would be leftovers for lunch, picked the right time the next day and got our invitation to clean up what was left. All we wanted were the poppers, and I grudgingly shared the two remaining cold poppers with my friend and hostess.
Last night I made poppers by myself. I hadn't eaten all day, so I figured, a half strip of bacon each, mozzarella, and jalapenos wouldn't add significant weight gain, and as it happened, I had about 8.
I can't wait to make more.
I am alive and well this morning. The charring takes most of the heat out of the jalapeno...but if you were really in for a jolt, I suppose you could use habaneros and make sure you had nothing planned for the next day.
So yes, on the Fourth of July, I fell in love with poppers that went nicely with the neighborhood fireworks.
Now I have to get a decent grill.
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