I'm not Dazzo, but I play him on TV......
1- I forgot to buy shallots- are they necessary?
Shallots?
2- Should I mix in some rub into the cream cheese, sprinkle on top of the bacon, or both?
For the sake of speed, I just sprinkle on top of cream cheese layer in half peppers, but mixing in is a tad more flavor-inducing, yes....
3- Should I use a rub I have or just go with simple curry powder?
Yellow curry's kind of overpowering to me, but the red / mild tandoori mix...some spice, but richer flavor than yellow or other types.......
If you have some particular other rub or mix you like, test it out.....I usually do several different kinds in a batch....
***What I aim for is bacon, smoke, cream cheese (w/ whichever flavor spice or rub) & jalepeno as equal parts in the finished piece.....
3- What is the preferred way to add chorizo? On one hand I could mix it into the cream cheese but I am thinking that a small layer on top of the cream cheese will be better contrast.
Like the man says, if you put it in there raw, it will blow the things apart with grease.....tried things sort of like that & they were so greasy, they came unglued trying to eat them....pre-fry & load on top of cream cheese or mix in, either way.....
4- Where should I put the jelly? on the bottom of the cream cheese or on top of the bacon toward the end of the cook? I could also add a small dallop on top of the turd when it's done.
You can glaze near the end, flavor sticks with it pretty good that way as it's the first thing that hits......or, a layer in on top of the cr. cheese......it tends to melt, but goes all down in the bottom of the pepper & cooks into the bacon....it works fine that way too.....think P,B & J 'Turds......
5- I'll be making these the night before- any do's and dont's for mixing the ingredients? for example, I don't want the chorizo oil to go all over the raw turds.
Once it's pre-cooked & drained, that will be fine......go ahead & mash the oils out of it.....the stuff has enough flavor to it & the bacon will re-moisten it while cooking.....
6- What wood should I use? I have pecan, apple, maple and maybe cherry or plum.
Maple or cherry....cherry makes for a nice color & has he least instance of going bitter....
PS: Have Fun !!!!!