Stuffed Jalapenos

Note: This recipe can be very spicy to people not used to eating Jalapenos.

Ingredients

• 1 ea large can (25.9 oz) La Costena Pickled Jalapenos
• Save the juice and carrots and onions in the can
• 1 ea block of Cream Cheese
• 2-3 Tablespoons of spicy Salsa (your choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Mrs Dash's Extra Spicy

Directions

1. Let cream cheese reach room temperature to make mixing it easier
2. Remove pickled jalapenos from can. Use gloves since the juice may cause irritation to sensitive skin.
3. Save the juice in a separate container.
4. Remove the carrots and onions and dice very small. Any jalapenos that are small, dice them as well.
5. Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl along with 2 or 3 tablespoons of the Salsa, A dash of the juice from the Pickled Jalapenos. The juice adds flavor and makes it easier to mix the cream cheese.
6. Add the diced carrots and onions to the mixture.
7. Mix until well blended and creamy -- no lumps.
8. Add Garlic powder and Mrs Dash mix.
9. Add more juice to make the mixture smooth, but not too much to make it runny.
10. Slice the stem ends off of the jalapenos and cut jalapenos in half.
11. Using a teaspoon, scrape the seeds out of the jalapenos and discard.
12. Let the cream cheese mixture sit for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle. Usually it's finished mingling by the time all of the jalapenos are sliced and scrapped. Taste and adjust seasonings.
13. Add the cream cheese mixture to each jalapeno half and plate.

• Variation: add a little fine-shredded Cheddar/Jack cheese to the cream cheese mixture.
• Variation: The cream cheese mixture can be used in many variations. Use fresh halved Jalapenos, add mixture and bacon wrap. Fry in skillet until bacon is cooked. Heat platter in microwave for 60-ish seconds before serving. Serve with Ranch Dressing.
• Variation: Use La Contena Pickled Serrano's instead of Jalapenos. Serrano's are smaller, so it make it more difficult to stuff with the cream cheese mixture. Note: Serrano's are much spicier than Jalapenos. Wearing gloves is highly recommended when handling the Serrano's.