Jalapeno Popper Dip

This appetizer has quickly become one of Brad and my favourite dips.  Brad and I are jalapeno popper lovers from way back and are kind of finicky about what makes a great popper. We don't like the cheddar cheese poppers, ours must have cream cheese.  The cream cheese balances out the heat from the jalapenos and the Panko/Parm topping is divine and gives it that popper coating that we all love so much. 

We love this dip so much that I've made it twice over the holidays then again last night.  Why three times?  Do we have a raging popper habit?  Perhaps.  The real reason is that the first two times that I made this dip (New Years and a family Christmas last weekend) I was so eager to dig into this dip that I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  {bad food blogger}.

So last night, on the pretence of making it solely for a good food pic, I made this dip again.  Unfortunately I had inadvertently made a few changes.  Let's just say that I'd now like to promise that from now on I will not just assume that I memorized a recipe.  The dip I made last night was 'I think I incinerated my tongue' H-O-T!!!  Apparently I thought the original recipe called for twice as many jalapenos.  Oh my gravy!  I think it I burned through the side of my mouth ... and yet I managed to eat another couple of bites. Perhaps I accidentally burned off a few brain cells from the jalapeno heat?  I also apparently have an issue with saying no to homemade goodies.  Look at me learning about myself.  Self enlightenment is a good thing, no?

Brad and I are not the only ones who wanted to sample my dip last night.  Someone else thought they'd get into the Jalapeno Popper action too.  After I had surrendered to the jalapeno heat and went upstairs, Brad went downstairs to grab a Coke (probably to put out the jalapeno fire that was in his mouth).  Our mini Schnoodle, Scout, thought he'd partake of the dip too.  When Brad came back up he knew that the dog had sampled our snack too (Scout is not known for being stealth).  When Brad looked over at the culprit Scout was sitting in his bed, licking his lips and repeatedly twitching his head.  Apparently he too thought the dip was too hot.  Everyone's a critic!!!  Do you think he'll no longer want to sample my dips?  Perhaps there is a silver lining to all this heat.

If you follow the recipe I'm sure that you'll enjoy this very easy to make, yet impressive dip.  :)

Jalapeno Popper Dip
Inspired by: Allrecipes.com

16oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 can (4oz) green chilis
2 oz Jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise until it is smooth.  Add the green chilis and Jalapeno peppers.  Mix well.

Scoop the dip into a medium baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine the Panko crumbs and the fresh Parmesan cheese.  Sprinkle over the dip.  

Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.  Serve with nacho chips.


I've linked this recipe to the following parties ...

Mom on TimeOut - Taking a Time Out Thursdays
A Little Nosh - Tastetastic Thursdays