HICKORY SMOKED JALAPEñO POPPERS

Steps:

• 1. Cut tops off of jalapenos. Using the end of a spoon or fork, stick down inside and rotate the fork. This will loosen the membranes and seeds. Then dump out the seeds. Do this a couple of times if needed. UPDATED 12/2013: Slice off a piece of pepper longways, stuff, wrap in bacon, and smoke. I find this way easier!
• 2. Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and turn the mixer on. Grate 8 oz of cheese then add to cream cheese. Beat for a minute or so.
• 3. Put cheese/cream cheese mixture into jalapeno and push down inside with finger.
• 4. Tear a small piece of bread off. I like using the heal of the bread, and place inside the top of jalapeno. This will help keep the cheese inside the pepper.
• 5. Wrap pepper with bacon, starting by draping one end of bacon over the opening of pepper. Then bring bacon down to the tip of pepper and begin wrapping it back up to the top. Secure with a toothpick.
• 6. Smoke on the smoker at about 200-250° for about 1- 1/2 hr.
• 7. Timing will depend on smoker temp. The best way to tell if they are done, make a couple more than you need to serve and test one out after one hour.