Healthy Jalapeño Poppers

So, how did the Super Bowl turn out? I'll be honest - football isn't really my thing. I've tried to understand it a few different times but I've always lost interest before I've absorbed everything I need to know. There were no Super Bowl celebrations for me but I was inspired to make a treat for myself to enjoy on Superbowl Sunday. 

Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix

I've been making this snack mix for years. I can't remember when I first came across it. Probably in one of the daily newsletter emails I get from Martha Stewart. I keep getting drawn back to it because it's so darn easy and delicious. I gave this out to co-workers for Christmas this year and had some great reviews. It doesn't photograph particularly well but I can promise you it tastes better than it looks.

 Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix
very slightly modified from Martha Stewart
serves a crowd

• 1 bag pretzel sticks
• 2 cups natural (unsalted) almonds
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Line two large baking sheets with foil and top with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss together pretzels and almonds.

In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugar, cayenne, and water to a boil, stirring constantly. Once bubbling, pour over pretzel mixture in the bowl and gently toss to coat and combine.

Spread pretzel mixture in a single layer on prepared sheets. Bake until almonds are crisp, about 20 minutes, tossing occasionally. Cool on the sheet before serving. Package in individual bags if you're handing it out as a gift, or keep it in a large tin or storage container in a cool place. You could easily change things up by using different nuts in the mix. I've also made it with alphabet shaped pretzels when I couldn't find pretzel sticks. It was just as delicious.

Here's a lesson from me to you - while the finished product was delicious, there was a moment when I wasn't sure I was going to have gifts for people. I'm still getting used to having multiple racks in my oven. It didn't seem like the almonds were toasting so I left the mix in the oven a little longer than I should have. The result was a blackened mess on the bottom of one sheet. I spent about half an hour going through every pretzel and almond and picking out the ones that were too far gone. I think I ended up with at least a quarter of the batch in the garbage can.

A couple of "crispy" pretzels poking through

All this to say that, just because you might think your dish has turned into a disaster, there is usually a way to save it if you take a minute to think instead of immediately reacting and turfing the whole thing like I almost did. Even people who cook or bake all the time mess up. Don't let it discourage you or keep you from trying again.

What was your biggest kitchen disaster that you were able to salvage?

Warm Maple, Bacon, and Cheddar Dip

In addition to the spinach and feta puff pastry cups I made for my girls night, I also made this decadent dip. I was really counting on there being leftovers for me to enjoy the next day but the entire dish was cleaned out by the time everyone left. I think most people (that I know anyway) would agree that you can never go wrong when there's bacon involved.

Warm Maple, Bacon, and Cheddar Dip
modified from KraftCanada.com
serves a crowd

• 1 package cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 8 to 10 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I used extra old)
• 2 green onions, sliced

Combine the cream cheese, mayo, and maple syrup. I would recommend a hand mixer or stand mixer for this. I did it by hand and it took forever to get everything incorporated.

Mix in the bacon, shredded cheese, and green onions. Smooth into an oven safe baking dish. Top with a bit more cheddar if you'd like.

Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes until it's hot, golden, and bubbling. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, veggies, or all of the above.

This was absolutely delicious. If you like bacon, cheese, or creamy dips, you have to try this. Something to consider if you're looking for something to bring to a New Year's party this week.

If you're worried about the calorie content you can certainly lighten it up a bit by using light cream cheese, light mayo, and reduced fat cheddar and serving it with veggies. I don't think I'd go as far as substituting turkey bacon, but I guess you could always give it a shot. I will certainly be making this again in the not to distant future. Imagine this in the puff pastry cups!

What's your favorite decadent dip or spread to eat around the holidays?