Jalapeno Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Shrimp With Cherry Cola Barbecue Sauce Recipes

SHRIMP-STUFFED JALAPENO POPPERS

Steps:

• Cut off the tops of the jalapenos and scoop out the seeds. Pat the shrimp dry and generously season with salt. Insert 1 shrimp into each jalapeno, leaving the tail sticking out.
• Whisk 3/4 cup flour, the cornstarch, Old Bay and beer in a medium bowl until smooth; set aside. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Whisk the remaining 3/4 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a shallow bowl.
• Working in batches, dredge the jalapenos in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip in the beer batter, coating the shrimp and jalapeno completely. Fry, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are cooked through and the jalapenos are golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; season with salt. Serve with malt vinegar.

BACON-WRAPPED JALAPENO POPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese together in a bowl until evenly blended. Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture. Put halves back together and wrap each stuffed pepper with a slice of bacon. Arrange bacon-wrapped peppers on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bacon is crispy, about 15 minutes.

COLA BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a heavy non-reactive saucepan and gradually bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat slightly to obtain a gentle simmer. Simmer the sauce until reduced by a quarter, 6 to 8 minutes. Use right away or transfer to a large jar, cover, cool to room temperature and refrigerate. The sauce will keep for several months.

JALAPENO-STUFFED BACON-WRAPPED SHRIMP WITH CHERRY COLA BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• For the barbecue sauce: Heat the bacon grease in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the red onions, and sweat until translucent. Add the garlic; cook an additional minute. Add the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, mustard powder and black pepper, and toast the spices until fragrant and deep maroon in color, 1 minute. Whisk in the cherry cola, red wine vinegar and ketchup until combined. Bring to a boil and cook until the sauce has reduced to 2 cups and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, let cool slightly, and then puree in a blender until smooth. (Extra sauce can be kept refrigerated up to 1 week.)
• For the shrimp: Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium heat.
• Sprinkle the shrimp with salt and pepper. Insert a jalapeno slice into the "spine" of each shrimp (where it's been deveined) and then wrap tightly with a half piece of bacon to keep the jalapeno in place. Secure with toothpicks.
• Place the shrimp, seam-side-down, in the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and the shrimp are just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Serve the shrimp with the barbecue sauce for dipping.