Jalapeno Popper Cheesesteak Sliders

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. AD #GameForBasketball #CollectiveBias This post is not medical advice.

These best part about sporting events is the food! 🙂 These spicy Jalapeno Popper Cheesesteak Sliders are a delicious mash up of two party favorites!

We will never be crazy sports fanatics. Sure, we will always give it a good college try, following along just enough so that we don’t seem completely clueless and so that we will get coveted invites to top sporting events and watching parties, but Eric and I have come to terms with the fact that we just aren’t those people, and we are ok with that!

And of course, if you DO love to watch sports, even getting super into it by decking out your house or car, buying a jersey or painting your entire body in your team’s colors, then I think that’s cool. Whatever makes YOU happy!

But as the seasons change, I can’t help but get a little into all the sports. Just the other day we were dining out with friends at a local wing spot and of course every TV in the restaurant was projecting the college basketball games. The entire restaurant was into the game, watching and cheering, and so of course, I had to tune in too. And then it started: all my questions. Which, since the friends who were eating out with us aren’t big sports fanatics either, well, my questions… they were pretty much left unanswered.

Not wanting to be completely clueless when it comes to this yearly March basketball craziness, I decided to have a small get together with some friends who do know a thing or two about basketball, so that I could have all my questions answered in the comfort of my own home. This also allowed me to whip up some of my favorite sports watching food (because THAT is a sports related topic that I know ALL about)!

Yes, I will fully admit that I will get into sports just for the food and because I love any excuse to throw a party! Considering I am by no means a sports fanatic, I haven’t let this stop me from hosting my fair share of sports watching parties! To get ready for our March college basketball party, I ran to Walmart to stock up on plenty of food, drinks, paper goods, as well as stocked up on some Advil Liqui-Gels, since nothing’s stronger, longer lasting or better on your tough aches and pains than Advil* (*Among OTC brands). I get frequent headaches and often get backaches (from working many, many years in the food and beverage industry and standing on my feet all day cooking), but don’t want these aches and pains to put a damper on all my fun, especially when I am doing what I love, planning a party and cooking! I keep Advil (click here for a coupon) on hand so I can be ready for anything and not let aches and pains get in my way!

One food that is at practically every sporting event or backyard barbecue is Jalapeno Poppers. Everyone loves them for the spicy jalapeno flavor, tangy cream cheese and smoky bacon; but I am not a fan of making them because they are a bit time consuming and messy to make. And since, a sporting event wouldn’t be a sporting event without some delicious, and of course indulgent food, I decided to mash up that Jalapeno Popper flavor with anther game day food we love, Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches (but you know, in mini form to feed a crowd!)! The end result, an insanely over the top amazing party food, perfect for any sporting event or get together!

Are you a sports fanatic? What are your favorite munchies for cheering on your favorite team?

Jalapeno Popper Cheesesteak Sliders
by Heather H. of Kitchen Concoctions: www.kitchen-concoctions.com
Printable Version
Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Yields: 8 sliders

A classic cheesesteak sandwich with spicy jalapenos, bacon and tangy cream cheese.

Ingredients:
3 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 medium green bell pepper, seed and diced
2 jalapeno peppers, minced (seeds removed, if desired)
4 ounces white or cremini mushrooms, diced
½ pound sliced roast beef, diced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 strips of bacon, cooked and diced
½ teaspoon each kosher salt ground black pepper
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
8 slider buns
8 slices Provolone cheese

Directions:
Preheat broiler to high and line a baking sheet with foil. Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook for 5-6 minutes or until translucent. Add the bell peppers and jalapenos and cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and diced roast beef, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, bacon, salt and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes and then stir in the cream cheese, cooking and stirring until the cream cheese is melted and fully incorporated into the slider mixture. Reduce heat to low and cover.

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large flat skillet over medium-high heat. Place 4 slider buns, cut side down, onto the hot skillet and toast for 1-2 minutes. Repeat with remaining butter and slider buns. Transfer toasted slider buns to prepared baking sheet. Top with about 1/3 cup of the cheesesteak mixture and 1 slice of provolone cheese, folding cheese in half if needed to fit on top of the slider. Place cheese topped sliders under the preheated broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted. Remove sliders from oven and top with remaining half of the slider bun securing with a toothpick. Serve immediately.