Okay, you like a little kick…..how about a kick that is just a little higher? Try this one out and don’t come crying back to me….you are warned.
- 8 jalapeno peppers, split lengthwise
- 16 slices pancetta
- 2 x 200g bags of a spicy shredded cheese (or take a jalapeno/havarti or a pepperjack cheese)
- 2 limes, cut in 4 (each one)
- salt
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a paring knife or small spoon and scrape the seeds out of the peppers, taking great care not to touch the inside of the peppers with bare fingers.
Place the peppers in a baking dish, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and bake for about 10-12 minutes, until they start to sweat. Remove from the oven and keep at room temperature.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment and arrange the pancetta slices on them, baking for 7 minutes or until they are crisp and the fat has all been rendered. Transfer to paper towels carefully.
Pour off the fat and return the pancetta back on the trays. Take a jalapeno, cut side up and set on each pancetta round. Mound 1/4 cup of each into each pepper and bake for 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.
Serve on plates with a lime wedge for each guest. Whew!
Spicy Noodles With Cashews
I thought this would wake up the taste buds a little. If you like spicy Chinese dishes, this one will do it for you. This is better than restaurant quality food.
- 12 oz. linguine
- 2 tbsp. roasted cashew butter (from health food stores)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
- 2 1/2 tbsp. minced fresh ginger
- 2 1/2 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper
- 3 tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp. dark rum (surprise)
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetend coconut milk
- 1/3 cup roasted cashews, coarsely chopped
Cook the linguine in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain. Rinse in cold water, drain again and place in a bowl. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, comine the rest of the ingredients, except the noodles and cashews. Stir in 1/2 cup of water. Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly, until the cashew butter has melted. Do not let this boil. It should be the consistency of a thick cream. Add to the bowl of noodles , toss to coat, and sprinkle the top with the cashews.
Trust me, this makes my mouth water. It is a dish you will want to make again and again.