Looking for an impressive yet simple appetizer to serve to your family or guests? How about some sweet, healthy medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese and wrapped in some salty bacon? Yes, I did say bacon!!! Who can resist that?
These beauties are also a great treat to make if you do not feel like making a whole traditional meal, but instead feel like some bite size treats (kind of like tappas) and enjoy with a good bottle of wine!
Depending on the cut of bacon, you will have to adjust the baking time so you do not serve this chewy. You want the bacon to be crisp but not burnt. And make sure you allow this to cool for at least 5 minutes or you will burn your mouth. Really worth the wait though.
These are also wonderful to serve with eggs in the morning if you want to serve something a bit more interesting than just bacon and eggs. The dates give this an almost maple syrup taste and the goat cheese add a very nice creamy texture. A truly enjoyable feast!
Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese
Ingredients: Makes 6 Dates
- 3 slices bacon
- 6 dates
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- 6 toothpicks
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a baking rack on top. Turn up the sides of the foil to prevent the grease from escaping.
Slice the dates lengthwise to create an opening and remove the pit.
Using a 1/2 teaspoon spoon, stuff the dates with goat cheese into the cavity of each date and press the sides together to close.
Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each date with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
Arrange evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove the dates and use tongs to turn each one so it’s laying on its side. Bake for another 15-18 minutes, until browned to your liking, and turn the dates to the other side and repeat. Keep baking until crisp but not dry. Remove from the oven, place on a paper towel lined plate, and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Yvette's Gourmet Kitchen 