Mexican Cooking – Jalapeno Chile Appetizers

Welcome to the Mexican Cooking blog. What is it about Mexican home cooking that most Americans enjoy? I think Mexican dishes are a kind of comfort food. Most recipes are fool-proof and easy to prepare. They use ingredients that are easy to find in your grocery store and appeal to American tastes.

I will be blogging about Mexican cuisine and will present easy-to-prepare recipes along with some interesting facts about the culture and customs associated with each dish.

I am starting off with three very easy recipes using Jalapeno chile peppers.

There are many varieties of chile peppers used in Mexican dishes. Jalapeno peppers are used frequently as a garnish or condiment. Named after Jalapa, the capital of Vera Cruz, Mexico, these chile peppers are green, about 2-3 inches long and are hot. You can find them fresh year-round and also buy them canned or pickled. In the United States our spelling is “chili” and in Mexico their spelling is “chile.” Here are three easy recipes for creating appetizers with hot Jalapenos.

Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers — Jalapenos Rellenos

Ingredients

12 whole pickled Jalapeno Peppers

1 3 ounce package of cream cheese

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup sliced green onion

You’ll find pickled Jalapenos in jars in the Mexican food section of your grocery store. Rinse and drain the peppers. Then, make a slit lengthwise on one side. Remove the seeds and veins but leave the stem attached. For the filling: bring cream cheese to room temperature. Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in the chedder cheese and green onion. Stuff each pepper with the mixture and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about ten minutes or until the cheese is melted. Arrange on a serving platter. Garnish with pimiento strips or black olives.

Tortilla Chips topped with Cheese and Jalapeno Peppers — Nachos

Ingredients

Tortilla Chips

Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Sliced Jalapeno peppers, can be pickled or not

Nachos are very simple and quick to make. Just spread the tortilla chips on a baking sheet or oven-proof serving platter. Sprinkle with your desired amount of cheese and top each tortilla chip with a Jalapeno pepper. Bake in 400 degree oven until the cheese melts. Serve hot.

Guacamole – Avocado dip

Ingredients

1 16 oz. carton of sour cream

2 Ripe Avocados

2 Tbs lime juice

1 Tbs canned sliced Jalapenos

1 tsp juice from the can of slice Jalapenos

Mash the avocados with a fork. Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Add more Jalapeno to taste. Add salt to taste. Cover bowl and chill or serve immediately on a bed of chopped lettuce and tomatoes. You can also serve with tortilla chips or fresh vegetables.

I hope you’ll try these very easy recipes using Jalapeno chiles. Feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear your suggestions or requests for recipes.

Your comments or requests for recipes are always welcome. For more recipes, cooking and entertaining tips, visit our websites at www.everydaycooking.recipecircle.com and www.mexican.recipecircle.com.