ABTs: half or whole pepper?

Smokinfunk · Posted: Dec 10 2008 Post subject: ABTs: half or whole pepper?

Ok - time for one of those questions that ferments and bubbles up out of Greg's head when he's been behind the desk too long.

When I do ABT's I've always used the entire jalapeno per ABT. I notice a lot of folks use only 1/2 jalapeno per ABT. Is this pretty much just coming down a tastebud heat preference? Or is there better smoke penetration to the stuffing?

I like things fiery, but my wife not nearly so much. But even she likes the ABTs with the whole pepper used. I'm always careful to remove every bit of the seeds and membranes from the peppers, and they're mild enough for her.

Anybody have a strong feeling about half versus whole peppers in your ABTs?
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Darrin · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC

I only used half and it was enough pepper for me. Have not tried a whole one.

JimH · Posted: Dec 10 2008 Post subject:

I've only used whole peppers but I guess if you half them you end up with twice as many ABTs.
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ou812warford · Posted: Dec 10 2008 Post subject:

I use the whole pepper. I don't always put in the little smoke in them. I have put some pulled pork in the stuffing.
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Teleking · Posted: Dec 11 2008 Post subject:

Whole pepper here as I cook them in a rack like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Irons-TIHPG-Happy-Jalape%25f1o/dp/B0019WKK6W/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_i
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r6abusa · BBQ Fan Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 372 Location: Michigan

I like to make them whole with out the lil smokey, everyone who has tried them loves them, I also put a little rub on them as well.
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OKBBQEA · Posted: Dec 11 2008 Post subject:

I've done it both ways and I prefer halves. The whole jalapeno was a little overwhelming in my opinion.
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Jeff T · Posted: Dec 12 2008 Post subject:

I likes em on the half shell & scrape out the seeds & vain. Don`t want them to over power the Hot Wings that's usually served with. Wink

whitey · Posted: Dec 13 2008 Post subject:

Whole peppers
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Smokinfunk · Posted: Dec 14 2008 Post subject:

Interesting - quite a lot of variation of preferences. Guess I'll have to try the 1/2-jap style once, if it's just as good and makes the jalapenos go twice as far that's a winner.

I also keep coming back to preferring the smokie in the middle. My wife doesn't - she says the whole thing becomes too rich for her taste, so I always make plenty w/o the smokie. I've tried a few other things, the last being shrimp - found the shrimp was way too delicate a taste for a strong-tasting item like an ABT, it kinda got lost in there. The smokie is definitely my personal tried 'n true favorite.
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roxy · Posted: Dec 15 2008 Post subject:

tried them a couple times with whole peppers but it did not crank me up. I now and have for a few years done them on the half shell.
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mutha chicken bbq · Posted: Dec 15 2008 Post subject:

witwag · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 17 Location: Madison WI

I've tried whole and half. I prefer half but not for heat but just being able to make it a 1 bite appetizer. the fact you get twice as many doesnt hurt either.
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Canadian Bacon · Posted: Dec 25 2008 Post subject:

I started doing whole peppers but switched to half pepper,I like the half pepper better,I like to make sure the pepper does not have a lot of crunch after cooking.
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reptileink · Posted: Dec 27 2008 Post subject:

well sweet Jesus! This would have saved me some money and time. I just did 40 whole ones!!

I wasted a lot of filling because after sandwiching a smokie inside, I could only use a small glop of cheese before having to put the other jap side on and wrap it. Oh well, I am sure they will be awesome
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fisherfrk · Posted: Apr 02 2012 Post subject:

I normally use a half and am trying to come up with a recipe for stuffing that will turn the ABT into a garnish for some smoked chili I am making for cook off at our church later this month.
Any ideas?
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Jarhead · Posted: Apr 02 2012 Post subject:

Half peppers.
One that I made a couple years ago, I stuffed with cream cheese with hot chili powder mixed in. Then topped with a chunk or two of pineapple (I think they were called tidbits) and wrapped in bacon.
I thought I posted it, but I can't find it.
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mechagrover · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 1

Whole. Doesn't look like a turd if it's cut in half Razz

Oregon smoker · Posted: Jul 06 2012 Post subject:

Whole.
And i dont make the traditional ABT recipe.

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roxy · Posted: Jul 06 2012 Post subject:

The original recipe was "Atomic Buffalo turds on the half shell". But that dont mean ya cant do them whole.

As stated, half shell gives you twice the turds.

Any way you do em they are awesome.
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