Melissas Produce

Jalapeño & Sausage Popper Egg Rolls

The melding of two cuisines comes together just in time for Cinco de Mayo celebrations in this repurposed eggroll recipe submitted by James Lirette on Melissa’s Sales & Business Development Team. Coincidentally, this dish was also developed—first at home with family and then literally on the road, offered on James’ own traveling catering menu, then perfected at a high school food concession stand, of all places.

“The recipe is a handheld version of one of my favorite grilling recipes that was enjoyed at family gatherings,” recounted James.” Then, it evolved during my time on the pro BBQ circuit. What started as an everyday Jalapeño Popper became a Jalapeño Popper Wonton offered in my catering business, which morphed into this Jalapeño and Sausage Popper Egg Roll that we now sell in our High School Baseball Concession stand. We always run out before the game ends!”

All I want to know is where and when the next ballgame is scheduled, James. These are not your grandma’s eggrolls! Though, admittedly, it is kind of cheating to combine sausage, bacon and two cheeses – all laced with the pleasantly mild heat of the jalapeño pepper. This delectable combo is packaged in our eggroll wrappers, cooked to a toasty crunch, drizzled with Melissa’s medium spicy Hot Jalapeño Honey, and then served warm. Wow! Just try the challenge of eating just one – impossible!

The two jalapeño components in these eggrolls qualify them as an appropriate hand-held nibble for Cinco celebrations but do not limit enjoyment of James’ creation to a once-a-year experience. In fact, these rolls are the essence of comfort food goodness that also offers a creamy-yet-hearty warmth with a spicey heat; perfect for those late-night cravings or for a quick bite any time of the day or year. So, it would be wise to double up on the filling measurements and freeze half to tame those impulse-snacking moments. No matter the quantity being made, the prep is a relatively simple and quick one-pan process: brown the meat, sauté the veggies in the meat drippings, add the flavor supports, combine both plus flavor supports, cook down and roll. A refresher in Eggroll Rolling 101 can be found in this handy video on how to roll an eggroll wrapper.

James Lirette has been a member of Melissa's family for 8 years. He describes his role as being challenged to expand the company’s retail business by “creating excitement to consumers for the company’s products as they shop.”

“I work with retailers in 33 states promoting Melissa’s seasonal products by providing creative merchandising and education to the end user throughout the year. The goal being to entice the retail consumer to take home whatever the item is on display that may not be on the grocery list they are following. The only real measurement of success comes at a client’s register, so there is a constant exchange of information as to what sells and what doesn’t— it’s a partnership. For me, the most interesting part of my job is the constant change of products, seasons and programs. My background before Melissa's was in meat, so we didn't have much change with seasons and availability. Melissa’s globally sources fruits and veggies, so it has been and continues to be a real education for me before I educate the customer!”

James sells himself very short when he sums up his background as simply “was in meat.” He has won the professional BBQ Grand Championships nine times, plus multiple individual first places in the Chicken, Rib, Brisket and Pork categories on the pro circuit. Retail consultant during the week / the Michael Phelps of competitive grilling on weekends! That is, when not operating his catering business or rolling eggrolls at a ballgame.

“I have a small catering business out of my house on weekends when I am not cooking on the pro tour. I do small events for 30 people or less, offering preplanned/preprepared meals. I also compete 10-12 weekends a year on the pro BBQ circuit, which has taken on extra meaning recently as my high-schooler son, Colt, has been traveling and cooking with me lately. The concession stand is part of my School Sponsorship commitment; I make items to support about 17 games a season. All of it very challenging some of the time – very fun all the time!”

Somewhere in his busy schedule, James also enjoys managing “a few baseball and softball teams” during the season. As a family unit, wife Lindsay of 20 years, daughter Kaya (11), and 15-year-old Colt like to hunt, fish and camp. James is a very busy man, indeed! When asked who out of history or current times would he most want to invite to his own table for a meal, James’ answer was quick.

“If I could invite any famous person for dinner, it would be Jim Thome, pro baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for 22 seasons (1991-2012) for eight teams, two twice. A prolific power hitter, Thome hit 612 home runs during his career—the eighth-most all-time. He amassed a total of 2,328 hits and 1,699 runs batted in. I always enjoyed watching him play baseball and liked his personality as well as the way nice way he always treated the fans. I would just like to have a chat over a cold one and a meal with him. I think it would be a fascinating evening.”

Maybe two cold ones if you are serving these spicy eggrolls, chef!

Jalapeno & Sausage Popper Egg Rolls

Ingredients
4 bacon slices, chopped
2 lbs. fresh sausage
4 tablespoons butter
1 Melissa’s Perfect Sweet Onion, chopped
1 bunch Green Onions, sliced
1 cup Melissa’s Jalapeños, diced
1/3 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 cup beef broth
8 ounces cream cheese
1 ¼ cups cheddar cheese
¼ teaspoon salt and pepper
1 pack Melissa’s Egg Roll Wrappers
1 jar Melissa’s Hot Jalapeño Honey
Vegetable Oil

Directions

Cook bacon until crisp with sausage until browned. Remove from pan and set aside.

Melt butter in meat drippings, then sauté jalapeño, onions and green onions for about 6-8 minutes. While veggies are cooking, sprinkle them with flour, stir to coat.