Asiago Stuffed Dates With Bacon And Smoked Paprika Recipes

ASIAGO-STUFFED DATES WITH BACON AND SMOKED PAPRIKA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Using small knife, make small cut in side of each date; remove pit. Insert 1 piece of cheese into each date. Brush bacon slices generously on 1 side with smoked paprika. Wrap each date with 1 piece of bacon, with paprika side against date. Secure bacon with toothpick. Arrange dates on rimmed baking sheet. Roast until bacon is browned on bottom, about 6 minutes. Turn dates; roast until bacon is cooked, about 6 minutes longer. Transfer to plate; cool slightly. Remove toothpicks.

DATE AND ASIAGO CHEESE BACON WRAPS

Steps:

• 1. Line one or two jelly roll pans (any large shallow pan with sides will do) with aluminum foil. (If you want a little less oily product, place a cooling rack in the pan and when assembling the appetizers, place them on the rack.) Set aside until needed.
• 2. Cut bacon strips into halves or thirds crosswise (the pieces should be about 3-4 inches long to allow a small overlap when placed around the date). Place on plate and set aside Place about 2 to 4 Tbsp of smoked paprika on another small plate and set aside. Cut the Asiago cheese into sticks about 1/4 inch square by 1 inch long. Place on a separate plate and set aside.
• 3. Make your assembly line by starting with the box or container of pitted dates, then the Asiago cheese plate, then the bacon with the paprika plate nearby. Then a container of toothpicks to hold the bacon around the dates. And finally, the foil lined baking pans (with or without optional cooling racks.)
• 4. Stuff each date with a small stick of Asiago, take one piece of cut bacon and dip one side in the paprika, then wrap it (Paprika side in) around the date. Toothpick in place and put finished roll on baking pan. Continue in this method until all ingredients are used (or you run out of one of the ingredients.)
• 5. Bake at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, turn over and bake for 6-8 minutes more. When bacon is brown and crispy, remove from pan to paper towels to drain. Serve hot or warm for best flavor.

STUFFED ASIAGO CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
• Combine Asiago cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, bread crumbs, parsley, and Kalamata olives in a bowl for the filling. Place about 1/4 of the filling on the center of each chicken breast. Roll up jelly-roll style, securing the edges with toothpicks to keep the chicken breasts from unrolling. Rub the top of each chicken breast with olive oil, place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil, and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and garlic and cook until mushrooms start to brown, about 4 minutes. Add thyme leaves and white wine, stirring and deglazing the skillet, and cook for 2 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Cook until sauce starts to slightly thicken. Add 1/2 cup Asiago cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat immediately; overcooking the Asiago cheese will create a lumpy, stringy sauce.
• Slice each chicken breast into 1/2-inch thick slices, and drizzle with Asiago sauce. Garnish with thyme and serve immediately.