Polenta Poppers, Done Two ways...

These poppers are are amazing and packed with flavor....I have fixed them two different ways with amazing results and cudo's to match! One recipe, fixed two ways...how fun is that?

Polenta Poppers

   The CattleQueen at PineCreekStyle

Basic cheese mixture:

• 8 ounces or 1 cup of prepared Polenta
• 8 ounces of creamed cheese, softened
• 1 heaping cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• Garlic Pepper season to taste
• A couple of heavy dashes of Chipotle Hot Sauce

Additional add in's (for the baked or fried panko coated Poppers):

• 3-4 pieces of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• jalepeno's or mild tricolored peppers, diced small, about 1/4 cup or more, diced very small

Add the above ingredients together and shape into balls or desired shape.

Next :

• In a bowl mix together: 1 1/2 cups of panko breading, 1/4 cup of flour and season with garlic pepper and red pepper to taste. Keep in mind the red pepper packs a punch.
• Coat the cheese balls in the panko mixture and place on a prepared baking sheet. Cheese balls may be sprayed with a cooking spray also if desired.
• Bake until panko is crisp and lightly browned at 325 degrees. Cooking times vary, watch closely or Deep fry in a cast iron pan until fried crisp and drain on paper towels
• Serve with a small amount of nacho cheese, (spice it up if you wish), for effect & dipping

*Second version is as listed below for the Polentla Poppers:

• Mix together the basic Cheese mixture to use as stuffing in the peppers
• Have 10-12 mild or jalepeno peppers, cleaning out the seeds and membrane
• Fill the peppers with the basic cheese mixture
• 10-12 strips of bacon, cut in half, wrap aound the filled peppers
• Place on a prepared baking sheet , set the oven on 250 or 300 for a slow roast & preheat
• Mix together, 1/4 cup of coffee, 2 heaping tablespoons of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of whiskey(optional). Blend well and drizzle over each popper
• cook on a slow roast until the bacon is cooked. **If I am preparing a full meal, I fix these first and let roast as I am preparing the remaininh food. 
• Serve as a side dish or as an appetizer

Two Ways to Serve Polenta Poppers...and a flavor burst for your tastebuds!
XO