Fried Hot Peppers

Photo: flickr user MontageMan

Ingredients

16 smalls Jalapeño Pepper or serrano peppers

8 ounces queso blanco or mozzarella cheese

1 cup yellow cornmeal

4 lrg eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups peanut oil

Preparation

Slice off top 1/8 inch, including stem, of each pepper. Reserve. Remove seeds from inside peppers. (Use thin plastic gloves if you have sensitive skin.)

Cut cheese into slivers to fit inside peppers. Insert cheese into peppers. Carefully fit tops back onto each pepper, tucking edges into rim of pepper. Secure with a toothpick if needed.

Place cornmeal in medium bowl. Place eggs in another medium bowl, add salt, and whisk well. Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Place half the peppers in the egg mixture, and coat. Transfer coated peppers to cornmeal, and turn to coat evenly.

When oil registers 365 degrees on candy thermometer, or is hot but not smoking, carefuly slip in the eight coated peppers. Turn as needed, and fry until evenly browned, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon; set on paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining peppers. Serve warm.

Makes 16 servings.