waste not - want not-especially when it comes to ABTs

RRP

<p />Because only I eat ABTs here I just make batches of 16 (8 peppers) at a time. Thanks to Spring Chicken I've been using smoked cocktail weiners sliced lengthwise but on a diagonal so they follow the deep end contour of a horizonal sliced pepper. Since I can't find cocktail weiners in small quantities it seems like I end up pitching half an open package ever so often -true, not a big lo$$, but why waste any? Tonight I custom built some small bags with my Food Saver and guess from what...scrap ends of rolls. Man I love this retirement mode!!!

Spring Chicken

RRP,
You're on to a good idea there Ron. I wonder if you can make up hundreds of ABT's and FoodSave them in 6-packs, freeze 'em and just nuke a few when you get an ABT craving? If anyone has tried it, please speak up. I may have to go buy me one of those FoodSaver thingies.[p]As for cocktail sausages, every store in America sells those things. Or at least I thought so. They go under many brand names and some are kicked up a notch or two with spices but they should all be about the right size for putting a whole one in a medium size jalapeno.[p]You may recall, I freeze my cocktail sausages because I found that it helps keep the cream cheese from melting as the bacon cooks. Just when the bacon is ready, the sausage is fully thawed and heated, and the cream cheese hasn't run out all over the place. But I have also been known to do it with unfrozen sausages. Depends on how many rum 'n cokes I've had. ABT are very forgiving and turn out great no matter what you do to them.[p]Glad to see you've adapted to the "retirement" life.[p]Spring Chicken[p]

ajay

RRP, You can get the smoked cocktails sausages in fairly small quantities at Cub's. Have you tried them with a pineapple cream cheese filling and wrapped in imported Prosciutto?[p]Unebelieveably good. Made a full dozen (24 halves) last night for company and the ABT's were the star attraction.

RRP

ajay and SpringChicken,
Sounds good![p]I guess I wasn't too clear - I have no trouble finding them its just that I only use 8 every 2 weeks. The peppers we can buy around here will only hold 1/2 of one - in fact some will only hold 1/3 of one. Like this package I bought Saturday - it only had 50 weiners in it, but at my rate of use that package would last 3 months - however the "sale by date" was March 25th. Adhering to the safety recommendation that would have meant use 8 and toss 42. By vaccuming them in a Food Saver and then freezing there is no loss.