Margarita Monday

     My little brother and my Dad came out for their first visit to ChiTown last Thursday through Sunday. We did a lot of eating out. I mean, a lot - deep dish Chicago style pizza (twice), Chicago style hot dogs (Yes "dogs". Plural. Because one wasn't enough), Chicago steakhouse (with all the fixings) and the list goes on. I must have put on a good 10 pounds.

     So, you are probably thinking I’d come to you with a wholesome, healthy recipe for tonight’s dinner, but it just so happens to be Margarita Monday...and my girlfriends are coming over to help me celebrate.

TFM: You can’t serve alcohol without food - everyone will get sick!

     Well Mom, you should be proud because we're pairing our Marg's with Mexican apps tonight. And I'm sure no one there will be feeling sick tomorrow...

Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients:

15 – 20 jalapenos

8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened

1 lb thick cut bacon, diced

1 shallot, diced

1 cup of Mexican blend cheese, shredded

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Fry bacon in skillet until done, then set on paper towel to cool. Drain all of the bacon fat, except 1 tbsp.

Add diced shallot to pan and sauté until tender.

Combine cream cheese, bacon, shallot and shredded Mexican cheese in a bowl and put aside.

Cut jalapeños lengthwise and remove seeds. (CLH: Also remove membrane if you don’t want your poppers hot.)

Fill jalapeños with cream cheese mixture and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes

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Pepper Jack Fondue

Ingredients:

1 lb. pepper jack cheese, shredded

2 tbsp. cornstarch

1 bottle of Corona beer

¼ garlic clove, minced

Pinch of cayenne pepper ~~~ CLH

1/3 cup Jose Cuervo Silver tequila

Directions:

Toss pepper jack cheese with cornstarch in a bowl.

Combine beer, garlic and cayenne pepper in saucepan and cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble.

Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the shredded cheese.

Stir in tequila and cook an additional 1-2 minutes.

Transfer to fondue pot and regular heat so dip remains warm.