Gator game popper recipe????

Here is the one I always do at the fests (along with directions) :

Atomic Buffalo Turds
by John Hall (egret)

This is the most basic version of the famous ABT’s. Several people asked me about the ABT’s I prepared at the fest, so I’ll tell you how I do these and offer a few hints.

Ingredients :

• 12 Jalapenos - fresh (3-3.5 inches each)
• 1-8 ounce pack of cream cheese
• 12 oz. bacon (regular sliced-NOT thick sliced)
• 1 pack smoked cocktail wieners (Lil' Smokeys)
• Dizzy Pig Red Eye Express rub

Preparation :
• Wash, remove stems and halve jalapenos lengthwise. Only cut the stem off, don't cut the end of jalapeno off to remove the stem. If the jalapenos are pretty fresh. you can pull the stems off fairly easy. Remove seeds and veins (leave veins in if you would like a hotter ABT).

Fill jalapeno halves with cream cheese, then top with a cocktail wiener. Put the two halves together and wrap the whole thing with a piece of bacon. Secure the loose end of the bacon with a toothpick.
Sprinkle a liberal amount of DP Red Eye Express rub all over the surface of the bacon. Place ABT's on a rack over a drip pan.

Cooking Directions:
• Stabilize BGE at 350 degrees. Place drip pan and rack of ABT's on a raised grid and cook for about 40 minutes. Turn them over to crisp up bottom side of bacon and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.

Optional : add apple, oak or hickory chunks to fire before placing ABT's in the egg. (I don’t consider this to be an option, but rather mandatory. These can take a good bit of smoke, so 2 or 3 fist-sized chunks isn’t too much).

Hints :

First, getting the right size jalapeno is important. You want it long enough for the smokey to fit but not too long so you don't get a piece of the smokey in all pieces you cut. I cut mine in 3 pieces which makes good size finger snacks.

Second, use only the thin cut bacon.

Third, I wrap the bacon starting from the pointed end of the jalapeno. Lay the bacon on the starting point and stick a toothpick in just enough to hold the bacon (not all the way through). Wrap the bacon around the entire jalapeno. If you get to the end and you have excess bacon, it's best to cut it off so you don't have overlapping. Stick a second toothpick all the way through the jalapeno at the end point. Now, stick the first toothpick (at the starting point) all the way through as well. Stick a third toothpick all the way through at the center of the jalapeno. This third toothpick is important not just for a handle but it holds the smoky in place while you cut the ABT into thirds.

Fourth, when I put the DP Red Eye Express on I sprinkle the ABT’s on over a paper towel laid flat, and, when I'm done I funnel the unused rub back into the jar. It goes much faster this way as opposed to trying to be real neat.

Lastly, I've found that a teaspoon works best to remove the seeds and veins from the jalapenos. A grapefruit spoon is supposed to work well also, but I haven’t tried this.

I'd advise you to use a drip pan so the bacon drippings don't go onto the coals. This creates a lot of foul-smelling smoke that will adversely affect the taste of the ABT's.

This is a lot of words, but it's really pretty simple. I've made hundreds and hundreds of these using this method. I’ve tried different rubs as well, but I believe the Red Eye Express is the perfect “fit” for these sensational snacks.