Jalapeno Poppers with Pineapple and Bacon

Posted on August 18, 2014 by skibootsinthekitchen

It’s hard to believe that kids are starting to go back to school already! Park City public schools start on Thursday, some other schools in the state started last week! But, but wait… summer was just getting started!! Even crazier… some of the leaves are starting to change already! I am not ready for this!

One thing I am ready for… football season! We are just two weeks away from the start of regular season NFL games and I am so excited. One my favorite fall actives is getting together at someones house and watching the Patriots play. It’s one of my East coast traditions I’ve taken with me to the West… Sunday is Pats day. Ok, so you don’t need to love football or the Patriots to love these jalapeno poppers because they are down right delicious and perfect for any occasion. The spice from the jalapeno, the creaminess of the cheese, sweet from the pineapple and salt from the bacon come together for one popping popper! Bring this to your next cocktail party, cook-out or tailgate party and you’ll be everyone’s favorite person. Enjoy!

Jalapeno Poppers with Pineapple and Bacon

10-12 medium/large Jalapenos (or 15-18 small ones)
1 8 oz. block cream cheese, at room temperature
1 8 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
¼ cup shredded white cheddar
3-4 pieces bacon, cooked

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees
Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, place on paper towels to cool. Chop into small pieces and set aside.
Remove the stems of the Jalapenos, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds and ribs. Be careful not to touch your face or eyes during this process you will burn yourself and regret it!
In a medium bowl combine cream cheese, pineapple and cheddar cheese.
Using a spoon stuff each jalapeno half with the cream cheese mixture so it is even with the sides of the jalapeno (about 1 or 2 tablespoons of filling depending on how large your jalapenos are)
Place cheese side up on a baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is slightly brown and bubbly. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with chopped bacon and serve!

**Thanks to Mia from Blonded by Style for taking the pictures. This post was part of our Mexican Fiesta, check out the whole menu here.

Best Guacamole

Posted on June 1, 2014 by skibootsinthekitchen

There are a few recipes that should be a staple in everyone’s home. I think guacamole is one of them. Especially in the summer, there is nothing better than a big bowl of fresh Guac and chips. When making a delicious guacamole, there are a few key things to remember…

#1 make sure the avocados are ripe… but not too ripe! no one likes a brown avocado or one that’s so hard you could bite into it like an apple! When picking avocados at the store, be sure they are slightly soft when you push your thumb into the skin, but not mushy.

#2 Dice your onions small, no one likes a big ol’ bite of bitter onion/bad breath! #3 Don’t over mix/mash your guac and leave a little chunk in your avocado, I think it tastes better and its easier to get more on your chip! Guacamole is great on its own as an appetizer or it’s delicious with tacos, burritos, and even on your breakfast sandwich! Happy Monday, hope you enjoy!

Guacamole (Serves 6)

3 avocados, pitted, pealed and mashed
1 lime, juiced
1/2 red onion, diced small
1 roma (plum) tomato, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Tortilla chips for dipping

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mash avocados and lime juice with a fork, being sure to leave some small chunks of avocado.
Mix in salt, garlic powder, tomato, red onion and cilantro. Mix until fully incorporated.
Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch more salt if desired.
Cut a piece of Saran Wrap just lager than the bowl, press the plastic wrap down onto the guac so there is no air between the plastic wrap and the avocado, refrigerate for 1 hour. This will prevent the guacamole from turning brown while it is chilling. If you don’t have time to chill it… Serve immediately!

Wonton Mozzarella Sticks

Posted on February 23, 2014 by skibootsinthekitchen

Hello Monday! Hard to believe that the Olympics are over! I loved watching all the high lights and live games every night after work, what will I do now?! Cook I suppose? I saw a pretty cool photo on Instrgram yesterday from Park City Mountain Resort, If Park City were its own country we would be tied for 14th over all in the medal standings! Not bad!! Congrats to all the amazing athletes of Team USA, it was so much fun watching y’all kick some butt over in Sochi! This quick appetizer was one of my favorites for prime time Olympic viewing. Its so easy and fast, and with only 4 ingredients they are cheap to make too! Serve it with some marinara sauce and boom, its the perfect cheesy, salty and delicious snack for any time! Enjoy!

Using your finger, we the top two edges

Fold the wonton over the cheese

Ingredients (Makes 12 Mozzarella Sticks)

6 Mozzarella Sticks
12 Wonton Wrappers
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup marinara sauce for dipping

Directions:

Cut mozzarella sticks in half. Place each cheese stick half onto the center of a wonton wrapper. Dip the tip of your index finger in a little water and moisten the top two edges of the wrapper, this will make it easier to seal the wonton around the cheese.
Fold the bottom of the wrapper over the cheese stick, follow by the two sides, then roll the top edge of the wonton to seal it.
Pour 1 cup of vegetable oil into skillet and heat for 2-3 minutes on medium high heat until 325-350 degrees. If you do not have a thermometer test the oil by placing the edge of a wonton wrapper in the oil, if it starts to bubble right away the oil is hot enough (be super careful, it does splatter).
Place wontons seal side down and cook 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Using tongs flip the wonton and cook another 1-2 minutes. Remove the wonton from the hot oil and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Serve with immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy! The beautiful sunset in Park City last night!

Original recipe from Alaska From Scratch

Cheesy Sweet Potato Bites

Posted on January 28, 2014 by skibootsinthekitchen

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here! Sadly, my beloved Patriots will not be playing in the big game (Tom is to busy paddleboarding with Gisele in the Bahamas, can you blame him?) Regardless of who is playing this weekend, Super Bowl Sunday is one of my favorite sports events of year! Football, friends and FOOD (obviously!) what could be better?!

So if you’re ready to show up to a Super Bowl party this weekend with a kick ass appy that’s sure to be the crowd favorite, check out these sweet potato bites. Cheese, sour cream, hot sauce and avocado… there is no better combination! And who doesn’t love sweet potatoes?

They are packed with vitamins, antioxidants and lots of other good stuff! So put down the greasy chicken wings and pizza bites and enjoy the game with these delicious morsels. Looking for some other game day favorites? Check out my Buffalo Chicken Dip, Baked Brie with Candied Pecans, Baba ghanoush, Ricotta dip with pesto & Sun-dried tomatoes.

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes (washed and sliced into 1/4-inch slices)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
Hot sauce (Cholula or Tabasco or whatever you have on hand)
Mexican blend shredded cheese
1 large avocado, diced into small cubes
green onions
sour cream
2 pieces of bacon, cooked and cut into small bits (optional)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees
Using a mandolin, slice sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch slices (leave the skin on). Place potato slices in a bowl, toss with olive oil. Mix garlic powder, chili powder and salt in a small bowl, sprinkle over potatoes and toss to combine. Place seasoned potatoes on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes on one side, remove from the oven and flip them. Bake another 10 minutes. While the potatoes are baking, slice the avocados, green onions and bacon if you are using it.
When the potatoes are done, remove them from the oven and place a dash of hot sauce on each round (if you like more spice, add more hot sauce). Top each potato with shredded cheese and place back in the oven for 3 minutes.
Remove potatoes from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Place the potato rounds on a platter, top each one with a small cube of avocado, sour cream and green onion (sprinkle with chopped bacon if desired).
Enjoy!