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.

Leftovers!

Mindy here and I hate to disappoint, but I did not bake/cook anything post worthy this week. Craziness and heat abound here in Texas, so I'm going to play off of Jan's post yesterday and give you my favorite way to use pico de gallo.

Sometimes I make my own, but it's usually easier for me to pick up a small ready-made container from the produce section at the grocer. Especially if I'm already there to get avocados. I mean, come on, these two go together like Burns and Allan, Oreos and milk.

So here's whatcha need for easy peasy, yummy-in-your-tummy guacamole.

• pico de gallo
• 2-3 avocados, or more, depending on how much guacamole you want. Make sure they give slightly under gentle pressure. Not to hard, not too soft.
• 1-2 limes
• salt
• 1-3 cloves garlic, minced

First you'll want to half your avocados lengthwise. Remove the pit/seed/whatever it is, and spoon out the avocado into a medium sized bowl.

Now, cut your lime(s) in half and squeeze juice over the avocado. I just use my slightly parted fingers to catch any seeds. The acidity of the lime juice not only adds a nice tang, it also helps prevents the fruit from turning brown too soon. Mash this all together. I like a few chunks of avocado in my guac, so feel free to make however you like.

Next, add your pico de gallo (as much or little as you want), garlic and salt to taste. Stir and serve.

See. Easy. Add a bag of tortilla chips around my place and you are soon looking at the bottom of an empty bowl. They love this stuff. Of course, you can also use it on tacos, fajitas, sandwiches, you name it.

Do you like avocados? What's your favorite way to eat them?

Thanks for the pico, Jan. Hope y'all like the guac.