Cheddar Chorizo Jalapeño Poppers
Photography by Taylor Higgins
Description
Recipe by Ricky Dixon, Executive Chef and General Manager at Marrow Birmingham
If you've had the pleasure of meeting Ricky at Marrow Birmingham, you know she's all about bold flavors that don't require a lot of fuss. This recipe is a perfect example: Cheddar Chorizo Jalapeño Poppers that look impressive, taste incredible, and come together without breaking a sweat. The secret weapon? Our Andalucia sausage, a fresh Spanish chorizo infused with smoked paprika and guajillo chile that brings warmth and depth to every bite.
Wrapped in flaky puff pastry and stuffed with a blend of sharp cheddar and that smoky Andalucia, these poppers hit all the right notes: crispy, creamy, spicy, and satisfying. They're the kind of appetizer that disappears fast at a party, pairs perfectly with game day, or makes a regular Tuesday feel a little more special. Ricky's added a cool cilantro crema for drizzling, but if you're feeling adventurous, he suggests going rogue with a drizzle of blackberry or raspberry jam instead.
Easy enough for anyone to make, but impressive enough to wow. That's the Marrow way.
QUALITY. COMMUNITY. LAND. ANIMAL.
Enjoy!
Details
Yield: Serves: 2 servings
Method: Stovetop
Total Time: 25 min
Active Time: 25 min
Details
Yield: 8 Servings (16 popper halves)
Method: Oven
Total Time: 35 Minutes
Active Time: 15 Minutes
Ingredients
Marrow Detroit Provisions – Cheddar Chorizo Jalapeño Poppers
For the Poppers
8 jalapeños
1 pack Marrow Detroit Provisions Andalucia Sausage
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 pack frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
For the Cilantro Crema
2 cups sour cream
1 cup buttermilk
1 bunch fresh cilantro
Directions
Prepare the Stuffed Jalapeños
Preheat your oven to 350º Farenheit
Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the trash. Set the pepper halves aside.
Remove the Andalucia sausage from the package, cut open the casing, and put the ground sausage into a mixing bowl.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl and mix together thoroughly with the sausage until well combined.
Stuff each jalapeño half with the sausage and cheese mixture. Don't overfill, but give them a generous amount, about 4 tablespoons depending on the size of your peppers.
Place the stuffed peppers on an ungreased baking sheet, sausage side up, and bake for 10 minutes.
Remove the peppers from the oven and let them cool in the refrigerator until cool enough to handle.
Wrap and Finish the Poppers
Remove the thawed puff pastry from its packaging and cut into ½ inch strips.
Once the peppers are cooled, wrap the puff pastry around each stuffed pepper in a spiral pattern, covering the filling.
Return the wrapped poppers to the oven and bake according to the puff pastry package instructions.
While baking, beat one egg in a small bowl to create an egg wash.
During the last 3 minutes of cooking, remove the poppers from the oven and brush the puff pastry with the beaten egg wash. This gives your pastry a beautiful, shiny golden crust. Return to the oven to finish.
The sausage should reach an internal temperature of 145º Farenheit when fully cooked.
Make the Cilantro Crema
Mince the leaves from one bunch of cilantro. Reserve ½ cup of the minced cilantro for garnishing.
In a bowl, mix together the sour cream, buttermilk, and remaining cilantro until smooth.
Serve
Drizzle the cilantro crema over the finished poppers and garnish with the reserved chopped cilantro.
Serve and enjoy!
Chef's Note: Feeling adventurous? Skip the crema and drizzle these with a blackberry or raspberry jam instead. Trust me on this one.
Marrow Detroit Provisions' commitment to providing quality meats comes hand in hand with our commitment to creating a short supply chain. By sourcing regionally and processing locally, we aim to minimize the distance our food travels from farm to plate because we believe it is both better for the environment, and provides an elevated culinary experience. We partner with farmers in the Great Lakes Region whose practices show respect for the land, the environment, and the well-being of their animals. Our goal is to foster stronger connections between producers, consumers, and communities.
Marrow Detroit Provisions' sausages are crafted by chefs to be served at your table. Using quality ingredients we aim to bring the culinary expertise from our friendly local butcher shop in Detroit (and now Birmingham) to your home providing easy-to-use, flavor-forward sausages to compliment your recipes.