Paleo bacon wrapped jalapeno "poppers"

Who doesn't love jalapeno poppers?  People who hate spice, and cheese, and life, apparently. (I'm teasing!!) And, sadly, me, but not due to their taste... most bar jalapeno poppers are caloric bombs due to the cheese, the breading, and, of course, the deep fryer.  Sigh.

But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a fabulous spicy bite of jalapeno with some "cheesiness".  Especially when it's wrapped in bacon.  And especially when it is relatively healthy!

Introducing my Paleo-friendly bacon-wrapped jalapeno "poppers". Inspired by this "Bacon-Apple-Jalapeno Pop 'Ems" recipe from Aarti Sequeira, I performed a makeover of the recipe to be Paleo friendly.  My one dilemma?  What to stuff these puppies with, since cheese is not strict Paleo.  And a light bulb went off when I remembered one of my favorite recipes where I learned a technique for how to turn avocados and roasted red peppers into a mock-cheddar cheese dip.  

Boom.

A brilliant idea was born.

Here's how I made these simply delicious Paleo bacon wrapped jalapeno "poppers"!

Start by making the "cheese"-filling.  Combine 1/2 a 14 oz jar of roasted peppers with 2 ripe avocadoes, top with a healthy dose of garlic powder and onion powder, as well as salt and pepper, and blend in a food processor until smoooooth....

Then, scoop into a bowl, add chopped Granny Smith apples and scallions, as well as more salt and pepper if desired, and mix together...

...next, prepare the jalapenos.  Remove the top, halve them, and remove the seeds and ribs (please, for the love of all that is nice, please do not do this step without protection for your hands... otherwise, the oil from the jalapeno seeds will burrrrrn you and it's NOT fun, trust me).  Now, you can stuff each jalapeno half with the apple-"cheese" mixture...

...then wrap with half a slice of turkey bacon...

...place on a Pam-sprayed, foil-lined baking sheet and pop into a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes until all nice and crispy...

...CONSUME with zest!!!! Expect yumminess :)

Here's the full recipe!

Paleo Bacon-wrapped jalapeno "poppers"
Recipe inspired by Aarti Sequiera and Juli Bauer of PaleOMG!

Ingredients
2 avocados
½ 14oz jar of roasted peppers
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
½ lemon, juiced

3 large scallions, roots sliced off, green and white parts minced finely
1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and minced

20 jalapenos
20 strips thin-sliced turkey bacon, chopped in half

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Make your "cheese" sauce. Place avocados, roasted peppers, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and lemon juice in a food processor and puree until smooth.

3. In a large bowl, place the "cheese" sauce, add the scallions and apples, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
4. Slice off the stems, and slice each jalapeno in half lengthwise. Remove the membranes and seeds.
5. Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture; fill until just over the rim of the jalapeno. 

6. Wrap each pepper with a bacon half.

7. Place each "popper" on the prepared baking sheet and pop into the oven for 30 minutes. 

8. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes.

9. Devour!!!!