Not only do I have an intense adoration for Mexican cuisine, but also for all things spicy. Yes, really really spicy. I like it hot. There aren’t many things I haven’t tried hot sauce on. Hot pockets? Check. Turkey sandwiches? Check. Potato chips? Double check! What can I say, even as a kid I was thinking outside the box.

My three older brothers loved to torture and torment me. And I just wanted them to let me tag along so I’d do just about anything they told me to. Once they tied a bed sheet to my ankles and lowered me head first down the laundry shoot. I don’t remember anything good from that particular experience. But I do remember the day they made me eat a whole raw jalapeño. . . by itself.

That’s right, a whole jalapeño, plain. Seeds and all. For anyone who doesn’t know, most of the heat from a spicy pepper comes from the seeds. I’ve never felt such a fire in my mouth before or since that day. And I am here to tell you that milk does not help. Plus, I’m lactose intolerant and we didn’t know that back then. No medicine + lactose intolerance + two tall glasses of 2% milk = a mean stomach ache. On top of a burning tongue. That was fun. But after the fire died down and my taste buds grew back, I was left with a longing. A longing for jalapeños. Yep, that’s when my jalapeño love affair really began. My mother kept a Costco container of pickled jalapeños in the fridge in our basement, and many a time was I caught down there with nothing but a fork, fishing for jalapeños.

Well it’s that time of year. Game Day time. Time to make those tailgating sloppy joe sliders and lil’ smokies in the baby crock pot. But, it’s also New Year’s resolution time. Time to raise the bar on those healthy eating habits. Well I have your answer for both of those occasions. . . Skinny Jalapeño Popper Dip. Bam! How’s that for an awesome New Year’s/Game Day season kick-off?! And I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. . . I fed this Skinny Jalapeño Popper Dip to my husband and he didn’t even know it was skinny-ified. Seriously! He had no idea but he went crazy for it, practically had to beg him to share. Three bites for him, one for me, three bites for him…. you get the picture.

If you like this Jalapeno Popper Dip, you’ll love my 9-Layer Dip, Philly Cheesesteak Dip, Chipotle Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip, Beef n Queso Dip.

Skinny Jalape o Popper Dip  6 ingredients  - 72Skinny Jalape o Popper Dip  6 ingredients  - 71Skinny Jalape o Popper Dip  6 ingredients  - 99Skinny Jalape o Popper Dip  6 ingredients  - 46Skinny Jalape o Popper Dip  6 ingredients  - 96Skinny Jalape o Popper Dip  6 ingredients  - 53