Paleo Jalapeño Poppers; A Great Oscar Party Appetizer

By: Davinia Perrin

Unless you’ve been in hibernation for the last few years, you’ve likely heard the term Paleo. A Paleo diet consists mainly of fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots, and nuts, and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, potatoes, refined salt, refined sugar, and processed oils. While I don’t personally follow a strict “Paleo diet”, I find some of the health benefits very intriguing. Therefore, I bit at the opportunity to peruse the cookbook Quick & Easy Paleo Comfort Foods: 100+ Delicious Gluten-Free Recipes by Julie and Charles Mayfield.

I’m all about quick and easy, and when you add healthy, comfort foods; I’m sold. This book offers great tips on equipping your kitchen with staple items that will make your Paleo lifestyle a breeze. I must admit, I’ve already made several fantastic recipes from this cookbook; the smothered pork chops, blueberry muffins, and I plan to try several others.

If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer for your Oscar party or a nice side-kick for a spring barbeque, these jalapeño poppers stuffed with shrimp and bacon were fantastic. If you’re a lacto-Paleo (willing to incorporate dairy), adding cheddar, jack or cream cheese on these would be “the bees knees” as Charles describes; I couldn’t agree more! Pick up your copy of Quick & Easy Paleo Comfort Foods: 100+ Delicious Gluten-Free Recipes, Charles and Julie have a great collection of healthy, flavorful, convenient recipes that make this cookbook a go-to resource for any kitchen.

Jalapeño Poppers
(printable recipe)
1 dozen jalapeño peppers
1 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, and finely diced
¼ pound sliced bacon, finely diced
2 teaspoons sesame oil
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon of salt
Note: Wearing gloves is highly suggested when handling jalapeño peppers.

Directions:
1. Preheat Oven to 400 F.
2. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place peppers face up on a cookie sheet.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the shrimp, bacon, sesame oil, pepper, and salt. Combine and spoon into each jalapeño.
4. Cook the peppers in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked.
5. Allow to sit a few minutes before serving.