Hot Poppers

12 - 15 fresh jalepeno peppers
1 8 ounce box Philly cream cheese
1 1/2 TBL Ranch Dressing Mix powder
2 TBL minced green onion
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
1 TBL real bacon bits
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional...and can add more depending on how hot you want these to be!)
12-15 slices of bacon (partially cooked)
Grated Monterrey Jack Cheese (can use pepper jack cheese or cheddar)

Wash and cut jalapeno's in half lengthwise. Clean out seeds and veins. Partially cook the bacon strips to point where they are still pliable but have lost some of the fat. Mix softened cream cheese, ranch mix, green onion, minced garlic, cheddar cheese cayenne pepper and bacon bits. Let mixture sit at room temp at least 15 minutes...30 is best. Fill halved jalepenos with mixture and top with other half of pepper. Wrap 1 or 2 partially cooked bacon strips tightly around each pepper and secure with toothpicks. Place on a broiler rack...or a cookie sheet with a rack on it (just make sure your pans are sprayed with cooking spray or covered in foil). Bake at 350 degrees about 15-20 minutes or until bacon is cooked and cheese is melted. Top with additional Monterrey Jack cheese and put back in oven until cheese is melted.

These are really good cooked on a charcoal grill or smoker too. You can also add so many different things to the mixture...pimento, cooked sausage, green pepper, tabasco sauce, chopped mushrooms. Yum!