Cheese And Bacon Okra Poppers Recipe

Feb 18, 2013 4:31 pm

A recipe for Southern cheese-stuffed okra poppers

By Southern Living

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These fried okra poppers are great as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre. You might want to make a double batch.

Ah, the Southern life. Whenever we feel the need for ultimate comfort recipes we turn to Southern Living magazine's new Feel Good Food cookbook. These cheese-stuffed bacon-wrapped okra poppers sure sound like they'll make us feel good. Chiefly, we like the part where we don't have to hollow out, stuff and deep-fry 30 jalapeños.

Reprinted with permission from Southern Living Feel Good Food

Servings: 16 poppers

Ingredients

16 slices bacon

1 pound okra

1 8-ounce container chive cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 cup green onions, chopped

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

vegetable cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425° with oven rack 6 inches from heat. Cook bacon, in 2 batches, in a large skillet over medium-high heat 1 to 2 minutes on each side or just until bacon begins to curl; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels.
Cut each slice in half crosswise. Discard drippings.
Cut each okra pod lengthwise down 1 side, leaving stem and other side of pod intact; remove seeds and membranes.
Stir together cream cheese and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Carefully pipe/spoon cheese mixture into cavity of each okra pod.
Wrap each stuffed okra pod with 1 bacon piece, and secure with a wooden pick.
Place half of okra, cheese side up, on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 8 minutes or until okra is tender and bacon is crisp.
Transfer to a serving platter; keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining half of okra. Serve warm.

More cheese-stuffed goodness on Food Republic:

Level of Difficulty:

Easy

Prep Time:

25 minutes

Cooking Time:

45 minutes

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