RECIPE : Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese.

This has been one of my very favorite recipes since the first time I tried it when a guest brought this dish to Christmas dinner at my brothers house a few years back. Ever since I started making this for every party and holiday dinner! I think the reason this dish became my appetizer go-to is that it looks so fancy but it's so simple to make! Keep reading for the recipe! 

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

2 lbs. of pitted medjool dates.

2 cups of plain goat cheese.

1/2 of a package of organic dried cranberries.

1 package of maple flavored bacon.

1 package of toothpicks.

PREPARATIONS & NOTES:

- Preheat oven to 375℉ then in a medium sized mixing bowl combine the goat cheese and cranberries, you will want a 1 to 3 ratio of cranberries to goat cheese. 

- Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, alternatively if you do not want to use foil place metal bakers cooling racks (the kind you use for cookies!) on the baking sheet.

- Remove the bacon from its package and using a pair of kitchen sheers cut the bacon in half, set it aside. 

- Optional: Very lightly sprinkle on or dip the dates in brown sugar BEFORE baking for more sweetness. You can also drizzle organic maple syrup over them AFTER cooking if you prefer more maple flavor.

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Remove dates from their package and slice them vertically (from top to bottom) with a paring knife. Split the date opened as through it were a book and set it aside. Continue until package is empty.

2. Fill each date about half full with the cheese and cranberry mixture. You can use measuring spoons if you find it hard to fill them evenly each time.

3.  Gently squeeze the date closed, the cheese will help hold it together, then wrap one piece of the halved bacon slices around the date, secure it with a toothpick and place it on your baking sheet.

4. Bake in oven for 15 minutes then flip the dates over and bake them for another 10 minutes. You will want to keep an eye on them and remove them promptly if bacon begins to blacken or burn.

5. Remove from oven and transfer to paper towels to drain of excess bacon fat if you did not use the cooling rack method when baking. (note* if you're making this for a party or holiday, hang onto that bacon fat. It will go great in your vegetable dish!) Once the dates have cooled place them in a pretty dish and serve!