ABT's is short for Atomic Buffalo Turds.
Sorry about the crude name, I didn't make it up. I don't even know
the origin of the name, but that is really what they are called. Go Google it and you'll find it all over the Internet.
Atomic Buffalo Turds are
probably the most popular appetizer in the barbecue circles.
Fortunately, they are most often referred to simply as “ABT's”.
But whatever you call them, these things are some of the tastiest
things to ever come off of a grill or smoker and are guaranteed
tailgate heroes. Ask any barbecuer and they'll tell you, ABT's are the first things to
disappear when cooking for a crowd.
I made my first ABT's
right after I got my first smoker after learning about them on the
barbecue forums circa 2004. So I couldn't believe it when I realized
I have never done a post about them.
ABT's
12 ea jalapeno chiles
4 oz cream cheese,
softened
4 oz cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp roasted red
pepper, diced
2 tsp BBQ rub (I prefer a
fruity rub like Billy Bones XXX Cherry rub for ABT's)
12 slices bacon
Slice the jalapenos in
half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds and veins with a spoon. Any
spoon will work but I have found that a grapefruit spoon excels at
this because of the serrated edge and pointed tip.
 |
| Is that a spoon or a shank? Are we in prison? |
Another tip - wear gloves when handling these. Alexis and I made 200 of them once and our hands burned for a full 24 hours. Washing only made it worse.
Shred the cheddar cheese
(you can use colby jack or whatever) and add the cream cheese, red
pepper and 1 tsp of the BBQ rub. Mix it thoroughly together.
Stuff the cheese mixture into the
jalapenos. Fill them level to the top. [Note: The amount of cheese mix you will need depends on the size of your peppers so if you have huge peppers, make more of the cheese mix ahead of time.]
 |
| The cheese mix will expand while cooking. Don't over stuff them. |
Cut the bacon strips in
half. I like to to it on a bias like this because it gives a “long
side” of the bacon that makes it easier for wrapping around and
tucking under.
Wrap the bacon strips
around the stuffed jalapenos. You can secure them with toothpicks if
you want but I don't find it necessary if you wrap them tightly.
Sprinkle with the other half of the BBQ rub.
Preheat your grill or
smoker to 250f. I like to use fruit woods like apple or cherry when
smoking ABT's. Smoke or roast the ABT's for 90 minutes to 2 hours.
They have a built in
timer, it's called bacon. When the bacon looks crispy and done, the
ABT's are done.
Be forewarned, these
things are addictive. I didn't even like jalapeno peppers until I started eating these things.
