There is this great little wine house downtown, near where we live. The first time I went there, it was a with a group of lovely ladies and those who had been to the spot before declared that we HAD to get these lovely stuffed, wrapped dates. We did. They were awesome. I made a version at my parents' house for a Christmas gathering and they were again a hit. Now, I often throw them together when my husband is away for the evening. Paired with a nice salad, these babies are just outstanding!
At the wine house where I first had these, they served them with truffle honey. I do not have that, nor do I have any idea where to find it (or how outrageously expensive it would probably be!). Instead, I usually do the smallest drizzle of honey and a drizzle of truffle oil. Don't have truffle oil? No worries, these will still be delicious and amazing. The originals were also made with pancetta instead of bacon. I've tried them both ways and definitely prefer the bacon (it's also waaaaaaay cheaper!).
Bacon Wrapped, Goat-cheese Stuffed, Dates
makes 8 stuffed dates
8 dried dates, pits removed
2 Tbsish soft goat cheese (I've honestly never measured; I just take off little chunks as I go, stuffing it into the dates until they look happy)
2 slices of nitrate-free bacon
herbs (I like thyme)
drizzle of honey (preferably raw)
optional: truffle oil
Gently slice on side of your dates, down the long side. In other words, you want to "open up" the dates so you can stuff them with the lovely cheese, but don't want to actually slice them in half. Stuff each date with some goat cheese and "close" the date back up. You want them nice and plump, but not so much so that the date can't be somewhat "closed" again.
Take your bacon and slice each piece in half. Then, slice each half again long ways. You want to end up with 8 longish strips, not fat chunks. Each piece of bacon should yield 4 strips. Wrap each date in one of the slices of bacon, covering the middle, but leaving the ends of the date uncovered.
In a large pan over medium to medium-high heat, cook your wrapped dates until the bacon is nice and crisp. Turn the dates as they cook so that all sides get beautifully browned. Transfer to a plate. Drizzle with honey, truffle oil (if using), and a sprinkling of herbs. Consume with a fresh salad and a glass of wine.
Delicious Dates
B6 - necessary for hemoglobin synthesis (to carry oxygen around the body!), amino acid and fat metabolism, and to convert tryptophan (an amino acid) into niacin (B3) and serotonin (a neurotransmitter that helps with moods)
Magnesium - helps with bone mineralization (making 'em hard), protein synthesis, muscle contraction and relaxation, transmitting nerve impulses, immune function, and enzyme action
Potassium - maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, cell integrity, facilitates many bodily reactions, and assists with nerve impulse transmission and muscle contractions
Copper - required by hemoglobin to use and absorb iron; part of numerous enzymes
Manganese - an antioxidant, helps with wound healing, and required by a number of enzymes for proper function
Fiber - helps regulate blood sugar (slowing the absorption of sugar from food into the blood stream), reduces cholesterol by binding with cholesterol in the digestive tract and preventing it from being absorbed, and helps provide bulk to one's stool, encouraging a happy GI tract
Bacon Wrapped, Goat-cheese Stuffed, Dates
makes 8 stuffed dates
8 dried dates, pits removed
2 Tbsish soft goat cheese (I've honestly never measured; I just take off little chunks as I go, stuffing it into the dates until they look happy)
2 slices of nitrate-free bacon
herbs (I like thyme)
drizzle of honey (preferably raw)
optional: truffle oil
Gently slice on side of your dates, down the long side. In other words, you want to "open up" the dates so you can stuff them with the lovely cheese, but don't want to actually slice them in half. Stuff each date with some goat cheese and "close" the date back up. You want them nice and plump, but not so much so that the date can't be somewhat "closed" again.
Take your bacon and slice each piece in half. Then, slice each half again long ways. You want to end up with 8 longish strips, not fat chunks. Each piece of bacon should yield 4 strips. Wrap each date in one of the slices of bacon, covering the middle, but leaving the ends of the date uncovered.
In a large pan over medium to medium-high heat, cook your wrapped dates until the bacon is nice and crisp. Turn the dates as they cook so that all sides get beautifully browned. Transfer to a plate. Drizzle with honey, truffle oil (if using), and a sprinkling of herbs. Consume with a fresh salad and a glass of wine.
Delicious Dates
B6 - necessary for hemoglobin synthesis (to carry oxygen around the body!), amino acid and fat metabolism, and to convert tryptophan (an amino acid) into niacin (B3) and serotonin (a neurotransmitter that helps with moods)
Magnesium - helps with bone mineralization (making 'em hard), protein synthesis, muscle contraction and relaxation, transmitting nerve impulses, immune function, and enzyme action
Potassium - maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, cell integrity, facilitates many bodily reactions, and assists with nerve impulse transmission and muscle contractions
Copper - required by hemoglobin to use and absorb iron; part of numerous enzymes
Manganese - an antioxidant, helps with wound healing, and required by a number of enzymes for proper function
Fiber - helps regulate blood sugar (slowing the absorption of sugar from food into the blood stream), reduces cholesterol by binding with cholesterol in the digestive tract and preventing it from being absorbed, and helps provide bulk to one's stool, encouraging a happy GI tract