This time of year is so very busy that even though we are cooking everyday, I forget to write about it. This time I won’t make that mistake because I have for your recipe collection the best little make ahead and freeze appetizer ever, and I think you might just need it for the party season. In fact – from Christmas to New Year’s celebrations, moving right on into Super Bowl – as long as you have these in the freezer you are one step ahead of the game. Sometime a retro recipe tastes so good because – well, actually it was, but like all recipes it can be forgotten and replaced by something newer and more hip. Just forget hip for a minute – we’re bringing back groovy with Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates.
Its obvious that bacon is all the rage right now being coated with chocolate and crumbled into cookies. That’s because: a) we love the sweet and salty taste, and b) what is better than bacon! But think about how yummy it could be wrapped around dates! I remember having figs stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon at a party. They were tasty – no denying that, but the very idea of the intense flavor of blue cheese with the sweet date and crispy salty bacon just makes you practically swoon – at least it has that effect on me.
Here is the idea. One package of whole dates – they come already split, a small chunk of blue cheese and ½ of a package of bacon makes for 24 to 30 delicious little bites. If you are able to carve out a half an hour during this busy time – you can do wonders with this recipe. I don’t even bother with toothpicks – they poke holes in Baggies. Basic plan is stuff, wrap, and off to the freezer or oven – depending on your game plan. Eat one before you serve them – they disappear quickly! Leftovers could go in the fridge, but you won’t have any. Now who’s feeling groovy?!
Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
Ingredients:
4 oz package of blue cheese
8 oz package whole dates
16 oz package of bacon * Cut bacon in half and then long ways if it is big enough. I wrapped 2 to 4 dates using one slice of bacon.
Optional: fresh grated black pepper
Directions
To cook immediately, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
Open each date ( they have already had seeds removed) and stuff with a generous teaspoon of blue cheese.
Wrap each date with a piece of bacon.
Place the wrapped dates on the baking sheet leaving an inch between each one.
Sprinkle with a little black pepper if desired.Bake 15 to 25 minutes depending on how well done you like bacon.
Serve hot – but they are still delicious at room temperature if they last that long.
To freeze, put wrapped dates in a single layer in a large baggie and freeze.
Thaw partially to bake.
