RECIPE: STUFFED VENIRONCINI BITES
This recipe is quick and easy to create, which makes it a go-to for me when I need to bring something to a gathering or party. You can substitute the venison in this recipe for beef, pork or chicken. I also prefer pepperoncini’s over jalapenos, because they are a bit milder, but enough to still give you a good spicy bite.
Here is what you will need:
1/2 to 1 lb of venison steaks or chops
1 block of your favorite cream cheese
1 package of your favorite bacon
Your favorite seasoning for the cream cheese mix. For this recipe, I used the Traeger Beef Rub
Cajun Life blackening rub for the venison
1 large jar of whole pepperoncini’s. You can find these at the grocery store next to jalapeno peppers.
Toothpicks.
Step 1: Cube your venison into bite size chunks and season with the Cajun Life Blackening season, or a seasoning of your choice.
Step 2: Unwrap your cream cheese and place in a bowl. Liberally sprinkle some of your favorite seasoning onto the cream cheese. I used the Traeger Beef seasoning.
Step 3: Take a handful of pepperoncini’s and cut them up into small pieces. Add those to the cream cheese mixture along with a little bit of the juice from the pepperoncini jar. Now mix together.
Step 4: Take another handful of pepperoncini’s, cut the top off, and then cut them length-wise in half.
Step 5: Layout a slice of bacon on your counter. Take a piece of venison and scoop a dollop of the cream cheese mixture onto it and place the whole thing onto the bacon.
Step 6: Place a pepperoncini half on top.
Step 7: Roll the mixture up in the bacon and put a toothpick through it to secure the bacon. I usually only need 1/2 piece of the bacon for one of these Venironcini Bites. So you can wrap two bites with one piece of bacon.
Step 8: Repeat the process until you have enough to feed your party.
Step 9: Cook these on your smoker low and slow at 225 for one hour. Then crank it up to 375 for about 20 minutes to try and crisp up the bacon a bit. Leave it on longer if you like your bacon really crisp.
Step 10: Remove and let cool for a few minutes. Serve warm. Enjoy!
VARIATION: If I want some sweetness, about halfway through the cook, I start to brush my favorite BBQ sauce on, which is any of the Traeger sauces…..Texas Spicy, Traeger ‘Que, Sweet Heat, Show Me The Honey, etc. They are all good.
You can also give variation through using different types of bacon. If you don’t have a smoker and will be using an oven, but want a smoky flavor, just use a pre-smoked bacon.
We hope you enjoy this recipe. Let us know how you like it in the comments along with any changes you made.
