Just In Time for the Big Game – Here’s a smoked bacon wrapped jalapeño popper recipe from High Desert BBQ
16 jalapeño poppers (not too large so the bacon wraps around nicely)
1 package standard cut bacon. The thick cut doesn’t work as well.
1 block of cream cheese
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
2 T HIGH DESERT BBQ HOG RUB
Prepare your smoker at a temperature of 275 degrees. Trevor uses a blend of post oak and hickory.
Stuffing prep:
Allow cream cheese to come to room temp to soften
Mix in cheddar and the hog rub
Set aside while you crack a cold one and cut some peppers
Jalapeño prep:
Cut the stem off and core each jalapeño. Cut them in half. Remove stem and seeds. Pro tip – the more membrane of the pepper you leave the spicier it will be)
Fill each jalapeño with the cream cheese mixture.
Put ‘em together
Wrap each jalapeño with a 1/2 slice of bacon. Use a toothpick if necessary to hold the bacon around the pepper
Dust the tops of the jalapeño poppers with more seasoning.
Cook
Smoke the peppers for 60 – 90 minutes or until the bacon looks perfect!
Allow to cool 10 – 15 minutes
Sit back and be envied by other party goers
About High Desert Barbecue
High Desert Barbecue was born in Kansas City, raised in Texas and now thrives in the high Desert of Northern Nevada.
The truth is lots of people don’t know very much about barbecue. For all the grill posts and dad jokes, there aren’t that many people that truly know how to barbecue. High Desert wants to change that. HDBBQ wants people to feel comfortable using their grills and making GREAT food. The difference between a decent backyard burger and the best burger you’ve ever had is so simple, and High Desert BBQ exists to help you close that gap.
Over the past four years, Trevor Lynch, founder of High Desert has studied BBQ from the best. He’s taken in-person classes with Malcom Reed of ‘How to BBQ Right’ and Matt Pittman of ‘Meat Church’. He’s studied, made and remade Aaron Franklin’s ‘Franklin BBQ’. He’s followed the late Louie Mueller and some of the other great founding fathers of barbecue as they work through the KCBS and MBS cooking competitions. Most importantly, He’s cooked. Repeatedly, he’s perfected these recipes. High Desert Barbecue is so excited to share what has been learned and some product that will help you grow as a back-yard cook.
SPICES:
Recently, High Desert Barbecue has started selling 3 signature spice blends. These blends are the result of trying everything Trevor could get his hands on. He made these rubs because he thinks they are the best thing in barbecue and because their simple. If you look at the labels its obvious what goes on what
High Desert – The Original All Purpose. This rub is simple and so full of great flavor. Use it on anything. Meat, Veggies, whatever. Super Simple and super tasty. I use it on Burgers, Brisket, Steak, Eggs, Deli Carrots, Egg Salad and too many others to mention. I also use this as a base layer for almost any meat I smoke
High Desert HOG – This is a BOLD BBQ rub. Lots of cumin in this rub to really add that layer of flavor. This rub is the BEST I’ve found on Pork Butt, Ribs, Pork Chops and even bacon
High Desert HEN – The sweetest of the bunch. HEN is an ode to our Kansas City roots. This rub is fantastic on Chicken. It’s sweet and savory. It’s perfect for the whole bird or just for some chicken breast.
Cooking Classes
High Desert BBQ has very limited availability for demonstration classes of 4-8 hours. During these courses Trevor walks back yard warriors through the basics of trimming a brisket, seasoning pork, and butchering chicken. In longer classes he incorporates the making and recipes of a couple of side dishes. Bring your appetite because everyone will eat a ton during these sessions.
High Desert BBQ spices are available online, at the gift shop at Maverick Casino and Hotel, and in the gift shop at the Wendover Nugget. Additionally, lots of fun information can be found at www.highdesertbarbecue.com or by following @highdesertbarbecue on Instagram and facebook. Reach out through the internet for more information on cooking classes or catering.
Retail Locations –
Red Lion – Elko Nevada
Wendover Nugget – Wendover, NV
Online @ www.highdesertbarbecue.com