Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Serves: 12
Total Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Medium
BY CHEF JOHN ASH
A simple little tidbit that can be made ahead and cooked just before serving. Complemented by both Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
INGREDIENTS
24 large moist dates, such as medjool
12 slices of bacon, cut in half
4 oz softened fresh goat cheese
24 whole toasted almonds
INSTRUCTIONS
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Move oven rack to upper third of oven and preheat oven to 475 °.
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Pit dates carefully to hold as much of their shape as you can. Halve the 12 slices of bacon crosswise. If available, put the goat cheese into a pastry bag fitted with a round, plain 1⁄4" tip.
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Stuff cavity of each date with 1 almond. Pipe goat cheese into each stuffed date or alternately use a small demitasse spoon. Wrap 1 piece of bacon around width of each date.
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Put dates on a baking sheet, seam side down, at least 1⁄2" apart. Bake until bacon is golden and crisp, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool briefly before serving. Makes 24.
