Spatula Diaries by Maggie Heyn Richardson – Summoning Fire

Nothing beats the culinary ingenuity that surrounds Death Valley this time of year, displayed through embellished, high-performance grills and rigs turning out mass quantities of jambalaya, ribs, brisket, burgers, dogs and gumbo. But preceding these classic main dishes, break out a tray of that timeless appetizer, the jalapeno popper. Retro? Sure. But it’s a perfect match for a Louisiana tailgate, given the fire within, the limitless stuffing possibilities and the bounty of fresh jalapenos still in full supply on local pepper plants. Read more…