Jalapeno Dinosaur Eggs

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs good quality country sausage
• 12 extra large jalapenos
• 8 ounces jack cheese with hot peppers
• 4 ounces deli sliced boiled ham
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2 eggs beaten with water for egg wash
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup cornmeal or 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• oil (for frying)

Recipe

• 1 divide sausage into 12 equal portions and shape into thin patties.
• 2 mix cornmeal or bread crumbs with pepper, salt and cayenne pepper.
• 3 slice jalapenos in half and remove most of the seeds and membranes.
• 4 slice cheese into sticks that will fit in the jalapenos used.
• 5 slice ham into strips that will wrap around cheese.
• 6 place wrapped cheese into jalapeno cavity and reassemble halves.
• 7 form sausage patties around stuffed jalapenos, covering completely.
• 8 roll covered peppers in flour;.
• 9 then egg wash;.
• 10 then finish with seasoned crumb or cornmeal mixture.
• 11 allow to dry on a platter for about 5 minutes.
• 12 put oil in a large pot to a depth of about 1 1/2 inches.
• 13 heat to 325 degrees.
• 14 with a slotted spoon, lower covered peppers into hot oil.
• 15 cooking a maximum of 4 peppers, brown until well browned.
• 16 when browned, check with a chef's/digital thermometer (about 7-8 minutes).
• 17 insert to a depth of about 1/4 inch, looking for a temperature of 175 degrees.
• 18 allow to cool on absorbent towels, then slice across into 3/4 inch slices.
• 19 arrange on serving platter or keep warm if serving later.
• 20 serve with ranch or other favorite dipping sauce.