Bacon Wrapped Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates
The perfect sweet, salty, chewy, tangy appetizer using dates stuffed with Blue Cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb regular sliced bacon
- 1/2 lb dates preferably Medjool
- 4 oz blue cheese
Instructions
- Cut bacon slices in 1/2 and place on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towel. Place the bacon between paper towel sheets and microwave a minute at a time at 50% power, until bacon is softened an much of the bacon fat has been rendered into the paper towel. Remove bacon from microwave and set aside
- Meanwhile, cut a slit lengthwise most of the way through the date and remove pit. You want to create a pocket that you will fill with blue cheese.
- Using a small spoon, stuff chunks of blue cheese into date cavity. Be sure not to over-stuff because you will want to pinch the cut edges of the date closed again after stuffing.
- Take a piece of the rendered bacon and wrap it horizontally (around the short side) around the date. Secure bacon with a toothpick and place on a cookie sheet, ideally fitted with a baking tray, if you have it.
- Repeat with remaining dates and bacon pieces.
- Heat the oven on broil -- low broil setting if your oven has it. If you only have high or "regular" broil settings, you will want to keep a close eye on the dates so they don't burn.
- Broil dates 4-6" from the heat element (depending on how hot your broiler is...low broil vs. high), checking constantly. When the bacon on the first side of the date begins to look crispy, turn dates over and broil the other side to desired crispness. Again, keep a constant eye on the dates when they are cooking because they will scorch quickly if you aren't paying attention.
- Remove dates from oven, allow to cool for a few minutes and serve warm.