Edit: Chili prep illustration added.
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I ran into the photo of an innocent looking lumpia with a whole chili head sticking out of one end. Dynamite, that’s what they call it at the restaurant where it’s served. It also appears to be popular in Bacolod. It looked simple enough so I figured I’d give it a try.
Because it was mostly experimental, I figured I’d try it using cheap cheese first. I raided the supermarket for a block of processed cheese food (Kraft Cheddar), a pack of finger chilis a.k.a. siling pangsigang, and lumpia wrappers. I assembled it much like you would regular cheesesticks then fried a couple.
Fantastic! Crisp, spicy and gooey, it created a wonderful flavor explosion that was as dangerous as it was satisfying. Dangerous, because a wayward chili seed can have you running for the nearest faucet to wash your mouth out. It’s a simpler, crisper and definitely cheaper version of Jalapeno poppers. Planning to try it out with either mozzarella, monterey jack or cream cheese next time. Make some with the instructions below, then grab a beer and the remote control for quality TV munchy time.
Dynamite Cheesesticks v. 16 March 2011
1 block (250g) cheddar cheese
1 to 2 packs (20-30 pcs.) lumpia wrappers
20-30 pcs. siling pangsigang / finger chilis
water
oil for deep frying
- While wearing rubber gloves, make a lengthwise slit, from almost the top of the chili to the bottom, being careful not to slice through the other end. Slice half of the top, so that you can unroll the chili while still keeping the top intact. Scrape out the seeds.
- Stuff the chili with cheese.
- As it lies flat on a plate, fold one side of the lumpia wrapper. Lay the stuffed chili on the wrapper, keeping the head on the folded part. Fold the wrapper over, roll once, fold the other end inwards, then continue rolling tightly. Dab the wide end with a small amount of water then seal.
- On high heat, deep fry the rolls until browned. Monitor the frying well so you can remove them before large amounts of cheese spurt out.
- Let drip on paper towels and serve.
NOTE: If you’re preparing this just for yourself, you may want to totally remove the top and seal the whole stuffed chili inside the lumpia wrapper, to lessen the chances of the cheese spurting out. But if you’re serving it to guests, it’s more fun to keep the tops on, so they look like little sticks of dynamite.
Yikes, those do look dangerous…ly tasty!
I don’t think I can handle dynamite but I love cheese sticks and these look really pretty!
My sister-in-law makes these too, but she fills it with lumpiang shanghai. But now that you’ve mentioned cheese… HMmmmm..
I love dynamite cheeseticks !
I had this in Gerry’s Grill a few months ago. Not bad at all!
Man. This sounds lethal. I should try this some time. I’m quite sure it would make great nibblets when buried in research work. -3-)
I was skeptical the first time my tita served this, but I’m now a fan. While it normally doesn’t need a dip, I once tried it with sour cream and it was good. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Wow~ So normal sour cream would do?
We make this at home as well. Discovered this at Tapatouille (Tapa-to-eh) over at Banchetto last year. Super yum. So experimented as well, and now make it at home.
But, the ones we make has ground pork and cheese inside. Pwedeng ulam.
Kekeke.
@Sefie
Danger can by nyummy!
@Bea
If you can handle the sili in sinigang, I think you can handle these. Just make sure all the seeds are scraped off.
@nina
Next time, I’ll leave some stuffing to try that out.
LUMPIANG SHANGHAI? Man, that sounds nyummers. Sayang, I made some lumpiang shanghai a few days ago, kaso they’re all rolled up and frozen na
@peachkins
You and me both!
@shar
Ang tagal ko na pala di kumakain sa Gerry’s! Sayang, I could’ve discovered this earlier.
@Khursten
Screw the coffee, go for chili!
Kickstart your research!
@Kat
Pwede! Now that you mentioned it, parang bagay nga.
@Zane
Mmmmm…looks like we’ll both be trying it that way no?
@Kaye Catral
Ground pork sounds good! Did you see Nina’s comment above? Lumpiang shanghai stuffing, tapos cheese! I can die happy.
love the illustration. yes, you have to! i have done this but much bigger chillies and stuffed with ground pork. This is a classic whoever thought of this way of cooking chillies is a genius. Best for not-kids-anymore party.
I tried making this recipe too and it went well with my ketchup-mustard dip.
Super ayos for pulutan!
This surely is a dynamite! But I love spicy food!
now i’m hungry!
I am hungry now… Looks delicious, and will definitely try this out, and feature it my own site Best Food In Town. Great photos too, you must be a pro photographer!
I really, really want to try this, we have cheddar and silang haba BUT I forgot to buy lumpia wrapper! :/
Looks great! Making me hungry. XD
This is yum! Tama ang nasa procedure no. 1, “while wearing rubber gloves…” I already tried making these at hindi pa naulit. Failed to wear gloves which caused chilli burns. Nevertheless, this recipe is great.
Great post, going to try this myself. anyways you have written it well and your own stuff is really nice! Keep it up
-Dealies Philippines
@ziggy
Whoever thought of this first, we must go find him / her and worship at their shrine. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is from Bicol, with all the chilis there and all.
@Kai
How do you do your ketchup-mustard dip? Sounds interesting, I’d like to try it too!
@Raymund
Spicy food for the win! Can you imagine spiking with with siling labuyo pa?
@mark
Time to cook then! Does Mina like spicy food? Surprise mo s’ya!
@Best Food in Town
Thanks for the compliment, but I’m far from being a pro. I just like taking photos when I have free time—which lately, is very seldom.
@Gene
Were you able to try it already? I tried it using mozzarella na, awesome texture but bitin flavor! I think a mix of mozzarella and cheddar will rock.
@L
Only one thing to do! Grab some munchies!
@Jane Grey
I’m just thankful I didn’t rub my eyes.
HAAAAY! I learned the hard too. I thought I washed my hands throughly na pero kulang pa pala. Hours later, I rubbed my nose—boom! Masakit
@pj
Thankies pj! Hope you enjoy them.
You think it will keep as long as those freezer ready to cook lumpia so I can make a big batch and pop them in hot oil whenever I feel like it?
.
@Ebichu
I didn’t test how long it’ll keep but yeah, I was able to freeze and fry at will. At the very least, I know it’ll stay okay for 1-2 weeks, though I’m betting that it’ll stay good for months, as long as it’s frozen. Best to fry them frozen too as it lessens the chances of the cheese squirting out before the wrapper’s nicely fried.
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Just tried this! Fried two at first, just to taste it! Waaaahh…. I cannot handle it! Makahang!
It is on the spicy side. Perhaps you can enjoy it with a neutralizing cream-based dip? Or you can try blanching / pre-cooking the chilis to lessen the spiciness. It’s not as spicy when it’s well-cooked. Or you can add less—like half instead of whole. Though it really is a spicy little thing ^_^
Tried it again this time. They love it at home! I super cleaned the chilis before placing cheese on it. Anyway, shared your recipe on my blog. http://www.flutterhappy.com/2012/extra-hot/
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wow!! sarap naman