‘Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates’ are delicious one or two bite hors d’oeuvres which are a combination of sweet, salty and, depending on the stuffing you choose, an additional crunchy, creamy, savory or fruity flavor. They are SO easy to make you can quickly put together a tray full for a large group. Do several of the date stuffings for a variety of flavors. You’ll love them!
Miss Party was served “Nueske’s Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Chorizo” at the Cleveland Browns’ tasting station during the “Taste of the NFL” event, held during “Super Bowl XLVI” weekend in Indianapolis. The hors d’oeuvre was so yummy she admits going back for ‘seconds’!
Makes 24 appetizers
Start with the basic ‘Bacon Wrapped Date’ and choose a stuffing for the date to add another layer of flavor.
24 pitted Medjool dates (for two-bite size) or other pitted dates (typically smaller for a one-bite size)
12 slices of center cut, smoked bacon strips, halved
Options for date stuffings:
-goat or stilton cheese (adds creaminess)
-1/2 cup walnut or pecan pieces (adds crunch)
-apricot strip (adds to depth of fruitiness)
-1 small, 2 ounce cured, smoked Spanish Chorizo sausage cut into sticks (adds to savory flavors)
Preheat broiler on high.
1) If stuffing the dates with the Chorizo sausage, remove the casing of the sausage. Cut the sausage into thirds, then cut each third into 8 sticks to end up with 24 sticks of sausage.
2) Stuff each date with your chosen filling and pinch the date’s slit closed.
3) Wrap each date with a section of a bacon strip and set in a shallow pan or rimmed baking sheet with the bacon strip’s seam side down.
4) Broil the bacon wrapped dates for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully. As you remove the dates to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool, pierce each one with a toothpick and lay them bacon seam-side down, for a couple of minutes (dates will hold their heat for quite awhile). Serve warm.
