The Sweet And Salty Ingredients That Turn Stuffed Jalapeños Into A Gourmet Treat

Stuffed jalapeños are, without a doubt, one of the finest appetizers that can grace a snack platter on game day. One of the best things about them is how easy they are to make. Just pick out the hottest jalapeños from the produce section, fill them up with cream cheese, and after a while in the oven, munchies are served. You can also easily upgrade them by adding a smoky twist with some bacon. Still, cream cheese has a pretty flat flavor profile all on its own. Kimberly Lock, professionally trained chef and owner of Fifth Fork, recommended just the thing to get yourself out of a stuffed jalapeño rut. 

Lock clearly preferred bacon, but it isn't the only meat that can take a stuffed jalapeño to the next level. "I prefer bacon with my poppers," she said. "But prosciutto will add a lovely bit of salty umami that will be delicious." Yet, protein is more of an accent ingredient that helps the real star of the show (that oh so creamy filling) to shine.

For the core of the dish, Lock revealed a flavor combination that will exquisitely complement the pepper it's encased in. "Blueberry jam will have a sweetness but also an important tartness that will pair well with a spicy jalapeño," she said. "Brie would lend a creaminess and slight bit of tang that would be very tasty." The addition of brie in particular works on so many levels. "Brie naturally pairs well with fruit and bacon or prosciutto, so the combo of all three of these in a popper is a winner for sure."

Blueberry jam and brie can upgrade stuffed jalapeños in a way that will surprise you, but Lock cautioned against going too heavy with either ingredient. "As with any food, balance is the key," she said. When mixing them together, taste as you go. Taste the blend with a bit of jalapeño as well to ensure all the ingredients are working together.

As for putting them together, Lock said that to start, "I would cut off the top of the jalapeño, use a small pairing knife to hollow it out." She also suggested making your life a bit easier when stuffing them. "I would then mix a softened brie with the blueberry jam and put it into a piping bag to fill the jalapeños."

Now onto finishing the dish, bearing in mind that you want that tasty blueberry and cream cheese blend to stay where it should be. "I would then wrap them with the prosciutto, place the jalapeño top back on with a toothpick, and bake," Lock explained. "I like this version as it keeps the brie and jam in the popper while it cooks instead of melting and oozing out."

If blueberry jam and brie don't excite you, Lock suggested other ingredients that might be more up your alley. Want to go French and fancy? "Caramelized onion, gruyere, and thyme will give you a French onion flair." Consider combinations of ingredients that would pair well with a spicy jalapeño and let your creative juices flow. Why not make a jalapeno popper sandwich?