Chorizo Filled Dates Recipes

CHORIZO-STUFFED DATES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the pit from each date with your fingers. Slip the sausage out of its casings and stuff each date with an almond-size piece (each will be about 1/2 ounce) of chorizo. Add 1/2 inch of water to a small baking pan and place the dates in a single layer stuffed-side up in the pan. Bake until the chorizo is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Lift the dates out of the pan and top each with hot pepper jelly, if using.

BACON WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH CHORIZO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with silicone baking mat or parchment.
• Make an incision on one side of each date and insert a block of chorizo. Squeeze the date shut in your hand to secure. Wrap each date with a bacon strip and secure with a toothpick. Place all the dates on the prepared sheet tray. Roast the dates in the oven until the bacon on top is starting to crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the dates over and repeat the process.
• Remove the dates from the oven and brush both sides with the maple syrup. Return the dates to the oven until the dates are really crackly and sticky, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve hot.

CHORIZO-FILLED DATES IN BACON (FRITOS DE DA TILES Y CHORIZO)

Steps:

• Cut off ends of the chorizo and slice the sausage crosswise into 3 equal pieces, about 3/4 inch each in length (remove the skin if tough). Cut each of these pieces in half lengthwise and in half again, to make a total of 12 "sticks." (If your chorizo is thick, these pieces may be too large for the dates, in which case cut in half again.) Insert each chorizo piece into a date and close the date around it. Wrap a strip of bacon around each date. Secure, if necessary, with a toothpick. (May be prepared ahead.) Place the wrapped dates in a skillet with the seam side of the bacon down and saute until the bacon is golden. Turn and brown on the other side. Drain on paper towels. You may now serve the dates, or proceed to coat and fry them. If you are continuing, this step may also be done in advance. Wipe out the skillet, then heat the oil at least 1/2-inch deep to about 380 degrees F. Dust the dates with flour, then dip them into the egg and immediately into the hot oil. Fry until golden, turning once. Or, better, use a deep-fryer. Drain and serve right away.

CHORIZO-STUFFED DATES WITH PIQUILLO PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add peppers and tomatoes and cook on low heat for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the liquid in the sauce has mostly evaporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Let sauce cool slightly, then transfer to a blender and process until smooth. Thin with warm water to reach desired consistency if necessary. You want a thick sauce but not so thick that it mounds on the plate.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Stuff dates with chorizo, using about 1/2 tablespoon of chorizo per date. Cut bacon slices in half lengthwise and wrap a slice around each date.
• Place stuffed dates on a small baking sheet and bake 15 minutes, or until chorizo is cooked through. Turn broiler to high and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, or until bacon is dark brown and crisp.
• Spread sauce on each plate and place 3 dates on top. Serve warm.

CHORIZO-FILLED DATES

Steps:

• Cook chorizo in heavy small skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through, stirring frequently and breaking up lumps with spoon, about 5 minutes. Drain off fat; transfer sausage to small bowl. Add parsley; stir to combine. Cool.
• Working with one date at a time, cut slit along top of date. Gently pry open date and remove pit, leaving pocket. Stuff pocket with 1 scant tablespoon chorizo mixture. Wrap 1 bacon piece around each date, overlapping ends slightly; fasten ends with toothpick.
• Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add dates, toothpick-side down, and cook without moving until bacon browns, about 5 minutes. Continue to cook until bacon is brown on all sides, turning dates occasionally, about 6 minutes longer. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Remove toothpicks. Serve warm.

CHORIZO FILLED DATES

Steps:

• Cut the ends off of the chorizo, and cut into 12 cubes. Stuff each piece inside one of the dates. Wrap a piece of bacon around each date, and secure with toothpicks. This part may all be done ahead of time.
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the dates in the pan with the bacon seam side down. Fry until golden, then turn and fry on the other side until bacon is cooked through. You may serve them now, or proceed to coat and fry them.
• Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or large skillet to 375 degrees F 190 degrees C. Whisk together the egg and water in a small bowl. Coat the dates with flour, then dip into the egg. Place immediately into the hot oil, and fry until golden, turning once. This will take about 4 minutes total. Drain and serve right away.