Won Ton Cherry Pepper Bombs

Are you ready from some football… and a recipe contest?

It’s that time of year again. In fact, it’s one of my favorite…contest time!! I was accepted to take the Twin Dragon Wrapper Blogger Recipe Challenge. There are two categories, one is Holiday Season and the other is Football Game Day. This bloggers contest is being sponsored by JSL Foods. First up, my Won Ton Cherry Pepper Bombs, perfect for Football Game Day!

Since 1951, JSL Foods has been a leading manufacturer and marketer of Asian Noodles and Wrappers, Long Goods Pasta, and Baked Goods. The company was kind to mail all participants complimentary products to use for the contest.

This is not the first time I have used Twin Dragon Egg Roll and Won Ton Wrappers. In fact, they are readily available at many of the stores I shop. Make sure to scroll down to see the list of many retailers who carry their wrappers.

HOLIDAY APPETIZER PRIZES

First Place: $1,000.00

Second Place: $500.00

Third Place: $200.00

Honorable Mention: $100.00

GAME DAY APPETIZER PRIZES

First Place: $1,000.00

Second Place: $500.00

Third Place: $200.00

Honorable Mention: $100.00

Past JSL Foods Recipe Bloggers Entries

Years ago, I participated in two of JSL Foods bloggers recipe noodle contests. One of the recipes I entered was Creamy Mushroom and Green Bean Noodle Bowl with Wakame. Another recipe I entered was Curry Chicken Mandarin Orange Yakisoba Noodle Salad, so so good. One of my fun favorites I made for an entry was Mandarin Orange Shrimp Yakisoba Summer Rolls with Sweet and Spicy Mandarin Orange Dip.

Football Game Day Food

Football Game Day food is always so fun and versatile. Some people go for the hardy gourmet Mac and Cheese dishes, Loaded Nachos and Chunky Bean filled Chili with all the toppings. Not to forget about the finger food like breadsticks, chip and dip and of coarse Jalapeño Poppers.

The jalapeño popper was my inspiration for the filled won ton wrapper. Similarly, both have tasty components like cream cheese and bacon. My Won Ton Cherry Pepper Bombs have a new twist to the popper…Sweet Cherry Peppers and the contest ingredient, Twin Dragon Won Ton Wrappers.

Picking Sweet Cherry Peppers

If you have never tried a Sweet Cherry Pepper (this one is mild flavored) and you like pickled foods, you really should try them. The briny liquid they are packed in gives the peppers the perfect pucker! When you purchase a jar of Sweet Cherry Peppers you will notice that some are green while others are red. Both have similar flavor. The seeds don’t really add heat like jalapeños seeds can.

In addition, you may notice that the jar is packed with different sized peppers so when you use them in this recipe most of the peppers are to big to enclose in a won ton wrapper. By cutting the large ones in half it still lends much flavor to the bomb and also increase the number of appetizers you can make.

Tips for Making the Filling for the Bombs

Get each filling ingredients ready before you start to mix them together. Room temperature cream cheese is a step I recommend for easier blending, so plan ahead. The bacon can be cooked ahead of time. However, ready cooked bacon that is available at the store can be used also. Another option is to use real bacon pieces that are usually found in the salad dressing isle. I have not measured the amount using bacon pieces but I believe 1/2 cup would be a good measurement.

Charring Jalapeños

When charring jalapeños, a gas stove like I have is wonderful to get the skins blistered. If you don’t have a gas stove then the broiler in an oven will do. Place the jalapeños close to the broiler, turn as needed and don’t leave unattended as they will blister quickly. An outdoor BBQ grill is another way to char the jalapeños plus it adds a nice grill flavor. To rub off the charred skin, use a clean dry paper towel. The skin clings nicely and clean up is easy!

A small metal scoop makes perfect distribution. A small spoon will work also. Work in small batches as to prevent the won ton wrappers from drying out. If you want to fill all of the bombs before cooking, make sure to cover them as you go.

A small amount of water around the edges of the wonton will be sufficient for sealing the bombs. Once the corners have been brought together and pinched closed then the sides can be sealed down. I chose to seal the sides to the left, however you can certainly fold them to the right. Just make sure that all sides fold the same direction. Hold the sides down for a few seconds to adhere if needed.

Since Twin Dragon Won Ton Wrappers already have a dusting of cornstarch on them. When a touch of water is added, they are ready for sealing. I have used a beaten egg before but in this case, water works great.

What if I can’t find Sweet Cherry Peppers?

Most retail grocery stores sell jars of sweet cherry peppers. You will find them near the pickles and other pickles vegetables like golden pepperoncini and giardiniera. A fun option to use if you can not find sweet cherry peppers would be to use pickled jalapeño slices. They are tangy like the cherry peppers. They will however add more heat to the bite. Place the pickled jalapeño slice (or two) on the won ton then top with a scoop of the filling. Close the won ton as directed and send them off to the fryer.

Golden Brown on the Outside, Warm and Tasty on the Inside

When frying the bombs, it is important to keep the oil temperature at 350 degrees. Over loading the pot with to many won tons at a time will crowd the pot and lower the temperature. Turn the won tons in the oil best as you can. Remove from the oil after they begin to turn golden brown. Drain on a paper towel. Keep the finished bombs in a warm oven. My oven goes as low as 170 degrees and that works nicely.

What if I Don’t Want to Deep Fry?

If fried food is something you avoid, no problem. Try air frying the Won Ton Cherry Pepper Bombs. The picture below shows some bombs that I air fried at 350 degree for 8 minutes. I lightly sprayed them with a cooking spray as well as a quick spray on the cooking rack inside the air fryer. They turned out bubbly hot inside and wonderfully crunchy on the outside. Convention oven cooking is an option also. I do not have this option on my current oven but if I did I would reduce the temperature to 325 degrees and cook until golden brown.

Won Ton Cherry Pepper Bombs can be prepared in the air fry at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. First lightly coat with cooking spray.

You can purchase Twin Dragon Wrappers at Walmart, Albertsons, Shaw’s, Von’s, Stater Bros, Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway, Associated Stores, Giant Stores, Shop N Shop, Winco, and Price Chopper!

If they are not in your local store, ask them to carry Twin Dragon Wrapper products! #TwinDragon #ChefYaki

You can follow JSL Foods social media for great recipes and more.

Website: http://www.jslfoods.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSLFoods/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSL_Foods

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Won Ton Cherry Pepper Bombs

See Detailed Nutrition Info on

Won Ton Cherry Pepper Bombs are the game day snack that deliver the flavor bomb all wrapped up in a package. Similar to a jalapeño popper but jazzed up with a tangy sweet cherry pepper and surrounded by a crispy won ton wrapper.

Ingredients

• 1-14 oz. package Twin Dragon Won Ton Wrappers
• 2-16 oz. jars Sweet Cherry Peppers, mild
• 1-8 oz. package cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 large jalapeños
• 5 strips classic cut bacon, cooked and minced
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 to 2 tbs. diced chipotle peppers, jar style *see notes
• 4 cups cooking oil

Instructions

1. Drain the sweet cherry peppers. Cut them in half through the top down. Remove the stem and seeds. Smaller peppers can be cut open, cleaned and left whole to stuff. Set peppers aside and continue with the filling.
2. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and arrange the bacon. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Pat dry on paper towels and mince. Set aside. (If you are cooking an entire package of bacon, I love to wrap the remaining bacon in layers using parchment paper and freezer bag then into the freezer for later use.)
3. Char the jalapeños skins over open flame or under the broiler, turning as needed. Place charred jalapeños in a plastic bag and allow to set to loosen the skins. After some time, wipe the skins off the jalapeños, remove the stem, seeds and membranes. Mince into small pieces. (Leave some seeds and membranes if you want to add more spice.)
4. In a large bowl, blend together the room temperature cream cheese, minced jalapeños, minced bacon, finely chopped green onions and the desired amount of diced chipotle peppers, jarred style. (I suggest that you try using 1 tablespoon first then work your way up to 2 tablespoon to find your spice level. I like it spicy so I used 2 tablespoons.)
5. Using a small scoop or spoon, fill the sweet cherry pepper halves with the spicy cream cheese filling. Once they are filling you can begin working in small batches to wrap each with a Twin Dragon Won Ton Wrapper.
6. Heat the oil in a deep pot to 350 degrees.
7. Arrange about 6 wrappers on a surface, place a filled sweet cherry pepper in the center of the wrapper and moisten edges with water. Bring the opposite corners together and close the seams down each side. Moisten the left side of each corner and press it to the center of the cherry pepper bomb.
8. Fry the bombs in small batches for 1- 1 1/2 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel and continue making more cherry pepper bombs.

Notes

1) If you cannot find the jarred style diced chipotle peppers then canned chipotle in adobo sauce can be substituted. Use one or two chipotle peppers that have the seeds removed and finely minced. 2) The finished Won Ton Cherry Pepper Bombs can be kept warm in the oven set at 170 degrees. 3) An optional cooking method is to air fry the bombs at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes. Spray each bomb with cooking spray before air frying.