A Super Bowl Birthday

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you probably heard something about a little football game that took place Sunday evening. Okay, the biggest game of the year, and it was a good one. Everyone loves a comeback.

However, we all know that the Super Bowl isn't really just about football. No, it about the commercials and the FOOD. This year's big game happened to fall on my husband's birthday so I had to make some of his favorite treats. 

Guacamole. You can find my recipe here.

Homemade sub sandwiches.

Fried pickles. 

Actually, that was our son's request. They were frozen, but done in the air fryer, they came out nice a crisp.

But the one thing hubby really likes are jalapeno poppers. Not the battered and fried version, but bacon-wrapped and baked.

They're actually relatively easy to make, they just take a little bit of prep.

Start with fresh jalapenos. Cut off the tops, slice them in half, then remove the seeds and the ribs, which is where all the heat is. 

In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese with some shredded cheddar cheese. I only had six jalapenos, so I used one 8 oz brick of cream cheese and about 1/2 to 1 cup cheese.

Spoon cheese mixture into jalapeno halves, filing them without over-stuffing them.

Then wrap each half in half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.

Place wrapped halves atop rack placed inside of a baking sheet to allow grease to drip away. I just use a cooling rack.

Bake in 275 degree oven for an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and half, until bacon is cooked. 

Allow to cool slightly before serving.

One side note here, be sure to wash your hands with a grease-cutting dish soap such as Dawn after cleaning out the jalapenos to remove the oils. Because I you rub your face or eyes without having done that, you will wish you had. Trust me on this.

Did you watch the big game? What were some of your favorite commercials? The Groundhog Day Jeep commercial with Bill Murray and Punxsutawney Phil had me laughing out loud. The one with Sofia Vergara was funny, too.

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more a mindyobenhaus.com.