The Covered Dish - Candied Jalapeno and Bacon Spread

Candied Jalapenos also known as Cowboy Candy, Whoa, do not lay this recipe down simply because of the word ‘Jalapeno’. In this super simple recipe we enjoy a little warmth of the jalapeno, however it’s tempered down by canning the jalapeno slices in a sugar syrup.
I have never grown Jalapenos, because I use them only in salsas and other red sauces. Not to mention peppers will cross pollinate in the garden and a sweet pepper can often come out tasting like a jalapeno! So; when I started making Cowboy Candy I did it by draining regular jalapenos and then re-canning them in the sugar syrup, and it worked.
Here in the Ozarks we have a restaurant near our home called, Danna’s BBQ. They not only sell the candied jalapeno’s they also feature them on some of their outstanding burgers. Talk about yummy.
The month of May is full of so many different celebrations it becomes a bit of a challenge to bring something new to the table. Once you have this little recipe you’ll find it very useful for other applications besides as a dip/spread. Enjoy a good grilled cheese? Me too, next time use a little of this spread on one side of the bread. In the summer I enjoy cucumber sammies, again this spread would bring some sassiness to the cucumber. Good ole’ celery sticks, you got it, jalapeno spread on the inside.
This spread can be used with quality crackers, or a healthier version would be to use sweet peppers with the filling on the inside. There is one note on the recipe that I would truly follow and that is to let this dish set over nite in the frig or for at least 8 hours before serving. The flavor outcome will be so much better.
If you don’t care to make a batch of cowboy candy, you will find it in specialty food stores and some grocery stores.
Tip of the week: A few weeks ago I saw a new way to poach eggs, (My favorite way to enjoy an egg). Using a saute pan and matching lid, place about 1-2 inches of water in the bottom. Bring to a boil.
Using muffin liners place 1 egg inside a liner and set
in the pan of boiling water. You may lower the temperature at this time and put the lid on the pan.
Cook until they reach your desired level of doneness. These work out great for eggs Benedict.
Remember; you can poach an egg the day before and quickly drop it in heated water at serving time. Grab a slice of tomato, perhaps an avocado and surprise your family with an elegant breakfast or dinner presentation. Tip: Don’t put a cold sliced tomato on your eggs Benedict, warm it up first, so it doesn’t cool the eggs.  If the English Muffin is too high in carbs and sugar reach for a slice of Dave’s whole wheat bread at about 12 carbs per slice.
Simply Yours, The Covered Dish.

Candied Jalapeno and Bacon Spread
12 ounces softened cream cheese, (1 1⁄2 blocks)
2 tablespoons sour cream
1⁄4 cup chopped candied jalapeno’s, measure before
chopping
4 strips of bacon, drained and crumbled
1⁄4 teaspoon seasoning salt
Sweet peppers cut into 8 squares each or
Specialty Crackers
Soften the cream cheese and mix all ingredients together, allow to set 8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Use a 1 tablespoon scoop or similar tool to present the spread on sweet pepper squares.
One of my spouses favorite summer sandwiches is a tomato sandwich. It would be extra special with a thin line of this spread on the sandwich. (A friend also got me into using a thin spread of tomato jam on a grilled cheese. This too is exceptional, just don’t put too much tomato jam on the bread.