Jalapeno Chili Pepper Screamers

 by caitlinsdad
Contest WinnerFeatured
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You've heard of poppers, how about screamers?

Engineered from the same exacting standards as the Kentucky Fried WTF, consider this the mini-coop of the big SUVs.

These are small and peppy.  More gas to the gallon and guaranteed to get you going.

Can be served as an un-appetizer - finger food or just plain simple fun bar food.  It will definitely be noticed in a crowd at a party.

Step 1: Keep it simple...

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A simple preparation!

These are essentially fried stuffed jalapeno chili peppers with a bit of ecoutrements.

This is really another project to clean out the fridge. See what you have on hand and substitute anything you do not have.

You will need:
Jalapeno peppers - you can try other varieties and sizes.

For the stuffing, you will need
cream cheese
shredded cheese, any variety - the stringy kinds are good like mozzarella

seasonings - garlic, onion, salt, pepper, crushed pepper flakes, parsley, chili powder, etc. whatever you like.
Adjust the heat to your preference.

bacon - I'm going to try this turkey bacon as it might be "healthier", you can also use any other additional cured meats as flavoring, ham, proscuitto or pepperoni bits.

Stick pretzels - small thin ones, not the pretzel rods, you can even use potato stix.

Couple of strands of cooked spaghetti, or noodles

For the breading:
seasoned flour
egg or milk
breadcrumbs - you can also use cornmeal, cracker crumbs, panko breadcrumbs or just back into the flour tank

You can go with a batter type coating also.  Try beer batter or tempura.
 
And lastly, a kitchen equipped for deep-fat frying or try the oven-fry method.

CAUTION:  Frying with oil may be hazardous.  If you don't know what you are doing in the kitchen, work on perfecting poached eggs and then graduate to the deep fryer. Handle chili peppers with care as any trace contact from peppers to sensitive areas on your body might irritate and hurt like the Dickens...and that too.

Step 2: Preparation aches...

Have on hand a few strands of cooked spaghetti. Cold leftover pasta is better for handling purposes.

I had some cream cheese left over for schmearing on my bagels in the morning.

I got some Muenster cheese slices for my lunch sandwiches.

And I got a pack of turkey bacon that I am going to try out. They really don't compare to real porkfat bacon but hey, at least I am trying to think healthy.

Throw a couple of slices of bacon in the toaster oven to brown and crisp up.  If you want the splatter all over the place you can pan fry or do the microwave thing or the regular oven thing.

Slice and dice into small bits.  Chill the bacon bits in the fridge until we are ready to make the cheese stuffing.

I had a few slices of Muenster cheese to add to the cream cheese.  Dice or shred that up to bits.

Mix the cream cheese, the shredded cheese, and bacon bits together.  Season if desired.

Throw that mix back in the fridge to chill a bit until the peppers are ready to stuff.



Step 3: Core samples...

If you are worried about handling hot chili peppers, just wear food-safe gloves or just put a plastic bag over your hands. The seeds and membrane contain the "heat" of the chili pepper, most of it anyway.

Start with rinsed jalapeno peppers that have been patted dry.

Cut the peppers in half lengthwise.  Cut off and discard the stem.

Use a knife or a metal spoon to rake and scrape out the seeds and membrane walls that the seeds were attached to.

Discard the membrane.  Save the seeds and dry them in the sun so you can plant your own pepper plants.

Cut four slits, two on each side where the "legs" will go.   You really don't have to do this but it gives a slot to help hold the limb in place.

I think I should have run something like a nutmeg grater/microplane/zester over the glossy skin to rough it up so the breading would stick better.  It still worked out well without doing that. 


Step 5: Batter up!

Dust alll over with flour.

Dip in the egg or milk wash.

Dredge in the bread crumbs to create the breaded coating.

Repeat to get thick coating.

Stick in the fridge for about an hour to firm up.

Step 6: Fry now o lator...

When you are ready to cook, take them out of the fridge and pop them into the fryer.

Gently slide them into the hot oil by holding the main body part and not by the tail.  Let the tail lay out freely.

I placed the feet side down first so that the breading would harden up and contain the melted cheese.

Fry in the hot oil at 350 to 375 F till they are golden brown.

They might float so you have to hold them down while cooking and turn them over as necessary to ensure even frying.

When ready, take them out and drain on paper towels.

Give em plenty of room so the tails don't get tangled.  Handle carefully so you don't break the tail off.

Step 7: How un-delectable...

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Serve your guests and wait for the screams...

A nice tzatziki sauce or ranch/blue cheese dip would go well.  These were fn spicy...

Wash down with your favorite beverage.

Oh yeah, if you're from Arkansas, it's down the hall on the left, no need to head outside.
bobdog says: Apr 7, 2012. 10:34 PM
I MUST make these even though my daughter will in no way try to eat one even if bribery is attempted. Worthy of inclusion in Nanny Ogg's cookbook, somewhere between the Quattro Rodenti Pizza and the Sticky Toffee Rat Onna Stick.

http://info.stylee32.net/PDF%20Library/Nanny%20Ogg%27s%20Cookbook.pdf

About halfway through.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to bobdogApr 8, 2012. 10:14 AM
Hmm, make it furrier and bigger ears... This might be more appealing http://www.instructables.com/id/Vegan-Mouse-Bites/
cloudifornia says: Oct 2, 2011. 8:26 PM
I thought entries had to be published on or after the start date of the contest. Am I missing something?
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to cloudiforniaOct 2, 2011. 10:26 PM
The Halloween contests are the ones that allow entries published throughout the year - from about end of last Halloween to this Halloween. It is in the spirit that Halloween is prepped all year round. Go back and pick your best and enter. Good luck.
cloudifornia in reply to caitlinsdadOct 3, 2011. 9:57 AM
Not according to the official rules.

4. Projects published prior to the Start Date are not eligible for entry. You may not register the same Instructables project in more than three (3) Instructables contests in total. Further information about entry can be found in Section B below.

You might want to double-check, because I copied that directly from them.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to cloudiforniaOct 3, 2011. 11:20 AM
From the official rules of the 2011 Halloween food contest.
Deadline. The Contest begins at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT)/8AM GMT on November 8, 2010(the "Start Date"). Entries for the Contest must be received by Sponsor by 11:59 p.m. PT on November 7, 2011/7:59am GMT on November 8, 2011(the "Deadline").

Note the "extended" start date.  The same goes for the other categories.

The previous few years have allowed ibles published after Halloween in the next Halloween contest to encourage awesomeness throughout the year,  Unless the Autodesk gremlins have put an end to that awesomeness, I did not get the memo.  



cloudifornia in reply to caitlinsdadOct 3, 2011. 11:26 AM
Thanks for clarifying that!
coollionsing2 says: Aug 3, 2011. 10:20 AM
Wait, are you from arkansas?
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to coollionsing2Aug 3, 2011. 5:38 PM
No, my cousin Nacho is.
bajablue says: Jul 14, 2011. 2:48 PM
CONGRATS!!!!
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caitlinsdad (author) in reply to bajablueJul 15, 2011. 5:30 PM
Thanks, and congrats to you on your win. Nice concept of dragon hot wings.

The staff must have thought long and hard before they would be sending me a set of knives though.
bajablue in reply to caitlinsdadJul 15, 2011. 5:46 PM
lol... you, too? My husband said he should probably take out accident/injury insurance on me. 8-/
triumphman says: Jun 27, 2011. 5:52 PM
Wow at first glance I thought they were mice crispies (no pun intended, ha ha. ) No, really, I saw a movie once where a guy was stranded while he was doing research and a snow storm covered everything, so he survived by eating mice like the foxes were doing. Yuk.! It was prob. not true, but who knows. Remember the Donner Part. Yum! But anyway, nice 'ible I'm going to try this ASAP after going shopping for the ingreds. Thanks!
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to triumphmanJun 27, 2011. 7:09 PM
Well, the tail is kinda crunchy and then there's the snappy and squishy part...something to ponder with the art of motorcycle maintenance...Thanks.
wolfencj says: Jun 24, 2011. 5:42 AM
Is it me, or do those look like deep-fried mice?
wazzup105 in reply to wolfencjJun 26, 2011. 11:59 PM
They look awesome !
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to wolfencjJun 24, 2011. 5:51 AM
I think it's just you.
Stanislaw says: Jun 26, 2011. 9:04 AM
Crazy! These would be brilliant for a halloween/monster themed party.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to StanislawJun 26, 2011. 9:19 AM
It's scary times all year! Just look at the economy.
sunshiine says: Jun 24, 2011. 11:38 AM
I could actually eat one of these, even though I know where they came from. I'll bet your kids think your totally awesome! Thats a good thing.
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to sunshiineJun 24, 2011. 12:57 PM
I do strive to be an embarrassment and set the example whenever I get the opportunity.
sunshiine in reply to caitlinsdadJun 24, 2011. 1:08 PM
I have a hunch you do quite well without trying! I enjoy reading your comments and of course your instructables.
l8nite says: Jun 23, 2011. 11:00 PM
it takes a really depraved mind to think up something THIS COOL !!!
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to l8niteJun 24, 2011. 5:55 AM
depraved is such a nasty word...I like it!
l8nite in reply to caitlinsdadJun 24, 2011. 12:18 PM
I knew you would understand !
maks1991 says: Jun 24, 2011. 10:32 AM
Мышки вкусняшки)
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to maks1991Jun 24, 2011. 10:40 AM
I believe your cyrillic characters do not come through. Cheers.
oswissmiss says: Jun 24, 2011. 8:42 AM
One word... BRILLIANT!!! ;)
RollerScrapper says: Jun 24, 2011. 7:11 AM
These are fantastic! Are people terrified to eat over at your house? One minor suggestion for your next party, make about 3/4 regular poppers and 1/4 these and see who notices the first screamer!
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to RollerScrapperJun 24, 2011. 8:03 AM
I think you only need to make one.
RollerScrapper in reply to caitlinsdadJun 24, 2011. 8:06 AM
Ha ha too true, and you can rush right over and eat it!
lemonie says: Jun 23, 2011. 10:51 PM

They look like the sort of food one might get at Burger World....

L
caitlinsdad (author) in reply to lemonieJun 24, 2011. 5:55 AM
hehhehheh....
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