Yes, Mel’s Magic Meat ~ not to be confused with Magic Mike, as several things have yet to be verified… his dancing! I’m referring ONLY to his dancing! Sheesh! All kidding aside, Mel is the active duty Guy-In-Charge at the Airman & Family Readiness Center where I volunteer.  He is a self-professed meat aficionado, and anything wrapped in bacon is 100% better than left alone! He recently shared Mel’s Magic Meat recipe with me ~ and I concur, this is SO much better wrapped in bacon! The caramelized crunchy kiss added to the bacon is sublime! Hope you enjoy ~

Dry Rub

• 1 c brown sugar
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chipotle or ancho chili powder
• 1 T garlic powder
• 1 T salt

Mix until combined.

• 3 large chicken breasts
• 3 jalapeño, seeded and halved, lengthwise
• baby spinach, finely chopped
• 6 slices of cheese, your choice (I used pepper jack)
• 6 slices of bacon
• toothpicks

 

Cut chicken breasts in half, crosswise (same sized breast only 1/2 as thick); sprinkle dry rub on inside of breasts; place cheese, spinach and jalapeño on seasoned side; starting from small end, roll breast, wrap in bacon and insert toothpick to secure; rub the outside of the roll, including the bacon (that is where the magic happens!) with the dry rub. Prepare grill (Mel says preferably charcoal, but as it was raining cows and pigs, I used my indoor stove and a good grill pan); place chicken rolls on grill for approximately 25 minutes (about the same time for indoor cooking!) turning as needed to get a good caramalized char on the bacon. Remove toothpicks before serving, and in Mel’s words, “be ready for others to ask for the recipe!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Note: the only thing I did differently, besides cooking indoors on my grill pan, was to pound out the breasts slightly, as I must have purchased the “pumped-up pullets”

 

Oh, and Mel, I will never turn my nose up at good food ~ Hot Pockets, YES, but good food? Bring it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special thanks to my AFRC family ~ you make my soul sing and my heart smile! Love you guys (Tyler, Laura, Tina, Gary, Sue, Mel, Travis, Linda, Trina, Theresa, AL, Steve, Mike)