Bacon Wrapped Manchego Stuffed Dates Recipes

BACON-WRAPPED DATES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Stuff each date with 1 to 2 almonds. Wrap each date with half a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
• Bake, turning the dates halfway through so the bacon is evenly cooked, 15 to 18 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

PARMESAN-STUFFED DATES WRAPPED IN BACON

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F.
• Stuff 1 piece of cheese into each date, then wrap 1 piece of bacon around each date, securing it with a pick. Arrange dates 1 inch apart in a shallow baking pan.
• Bake 5 minutes, then turn dates over with tongs and bake until bacon is crisp, 5 to 6 minutes more. Drain on a paper bag or parchment. Serve immediately.

BACON WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Slice dates in half, and open them up. Pinch off pieces of blue cheese, and place them into the center of the dates. Close the halves of the dates, and wrap a half-slice of bacon around the outside. Secure each one with a toothpick. Arrange in a baking dish or on a baking sheet with sides to catch any grease.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bacon is crisp. Turn dates over after the first 20 minutes for even cooking.

BACON-WRAPPED DATES WITH CHORIZO AND MANCHEGO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Make an incision lengthwise in each date, open and flatten. Insert a piece of cheese in the center of each date. Break each chorizo link into quarters. Form each piece of chorizo into a log and squish it inside the date onto the cheese. Close the date around the filling and squeeze to secure. Wrap each date with a bacon strip and secure with a toothpick. Repeat for the remaining dates, cheese, chorizo and bacon. Place the dates on a baking sheet and roast until the bacon starts to crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. Turn the dates over and roast for another 7 to 8 minutes.
• In a small bowl combine the syrup and vinegar.
• Remove the dates from the oven and brush both sides with the maple syrup mixture. Return the dates to the oven until they are really crackly and sticky, 1 to 2 minutes. Rest the stuffed dates for 1 minute. Remove the toothpicks and serve.

RICOTTA-STUFFED BACON-WRAPPED DATES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Cut the bacon in half lengthwise to make twice as many slices. Set aside. To remove the pits from the dates, cut the tips off each end of the dates and insert the flat end of the skewer until it pushes the pit out of the date. Repeat with remaining dates.
• Place the ricotta in the bottom corner of a strong plastic bag and seal tightly. Use scissors to cut a small hole in the tip of 1 of the corners. Now use the bag like a piping bag to fill the dates with the cheese.
• Wrap the ricotta stuffed dates with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick through the belly of the date. Arrange all the prepared dates on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing at least a little space between each one for good browning. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes or until bacon is browned and crispy. Remove from the baking sheet and gently remove toothpicks. Serve immediately.

BACON-WRAPPED DATES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Slice the dates lengthwise three-quarters of the way down. In a small bowl, press the cream into the blue cheese with a fork. Press a small scoop of the blue cheese into the center of the dates and close them back up. Cut each piece of bacon in half. Wrap each halved bacon strip around a date. Secure with a toothpick.
• Place the bacon-wrapped dates on a baking sheet. Bake until the bacon is crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.

BACON-WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH CREAM CHEESE AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Stuff 1 piece of cheese and 1 almond into each date, then wrap one piece of bacon around each date and secure bacon with a toothpick if desired. Arrange dates, bacon seam down and 1 inch apart in a shallow baking pan.
• Bake 5 minutes, then turn dates over with tongs and bake until bacon is crisp, 5 to 6 minutes more. Drain on a paper towel or parchment. Serve immediately.

MANCHEGO-STUFFED DATES WRAPPED IN BACON (TAPAS)

Steps:

• Preheat broiler (high setting).
• Cut your cheese into small rectangles just large enough to fill the cavity of your pitted date.
• Stuff 1 piece of cheese into each date.
• Wrap each date with a piece of bacon.
• Place on baking sheet, seam side down, and broil for 4 minutes. Turn dates over and broil another 4 minutes.
• Serve hot.
• NOTE: you can put a toothpick in each AFTER cooking for the convenience of your guests (but they won't look as pretty).