Gorgonzola Bacon Wrapped Dates

Gorgonzola Bacon Wrapped Dates

Dates. They've been a staple food in South Asia and the Middle East for thousands of years. Today dates are grown around the world in many different countries but here in the US, the most commonly consumed date is the plump, sweet, and succulent Medjool.

This fantastic ancient fruit is extremely versatile. The date is found in both sweet and savory dishes, as well as products like alcohol, honey, livestock feed and have even been used for medicinal purposes. My favorite way to consume this historical and delectable delicacy is to wrap it in bacon and stuff it with cheese of course!

Bacon Wrapped Dates
10 Medjool dates
10 cubes of either Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton blue cheese (cut into 1/2 by 1/4in cubes)
10 unsalted almonds
10 toothpicks
10 strips of bacon (cut 3/4 strips)

Preheat oven to 400 and soak 10 toothpicks in cold water. Carefully slice a small lengthwise slit in dates to remove the pit. Stuff with date with an almond and cube of blue cheese. Carefully squeeze the date back together and wrap with 3/4 slice of bacon and spear with toothpick  Arrange your bacon wrapped dates on a greased baking sheet and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until bacon is crispy turning once during cooking. Remove bring to near room temp and serve.

*If you are having a large party I would suggest removing the almonds from the dates as some people think that they have bitten into a pit. Also, if you find that your cheese has melted due to the crispness of your bacon, you might place another small cube of blue cheese atop the date.

Dates can be purchased fresh at your local market and are easy gourmet treat for any party!

Enjoy Ya'll!