Bacon Wrapped Manchego Stuffed Dates Food

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.

PANCETTA-WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH MANCHEGO CHEESE AND MINT

Steps:

• Cut small slice off 1 short end of each date and discard. Using tweezers or needle-nose pliers, carefully remove pits from dates through small opening; discard pits. Place 1 mint leaf across opening of 1 date, covering cavity. Using 1 cheese strip, push mint leaf and cheese into date cavity. Using fingers, pinch date opening closed. Repeat with remaining dates, mint leaves, and cheese strips. Wrap 3 pancetta slices securely around each date, enclosing date completely. Place pancetta-wrapped dates on baking sheet, spacing slightly apart. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake dates uncovered until pancetta is crisp and bottoms of dates caramelize, about 30 minutes. Using tongs, transfer dates to platter and serve warm.
• A Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk; sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

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.

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).

BACON WRAPPED STUFFED DATES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• With a small sharp knife, make a lengthwise slit in one side of each date and remove the pit.
• Stuff about 1 teaspoon of cheese into the cavity.
• Wrap 1/2 slice of bacon around each date. Secure with a toothpick.
• Place on a rimmed baking tray (lined with parchment paper) and bake for 10 min.
• Remove from oven, turn each one over and bake for a further 6-8 minutes. Repeat this step one more time, or until bacon is cooked. Cook longer if you prefer crispier bacon.
• Drain on paper towel. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
• Refrigerate leftovers.

BACON-WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH MANCHEGO CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Stuff 1 piece manchego cheese into each date and then wrap with 1 piece bacon, securing with a toothpick. Arrange dates in a shallow baking dish with the bacon seam down and 1 inch between pieces.
• Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes, turn dates with tongs, and continue baking until bacon is crisp, 5 to 6 minutes more. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

BACON WRAPPED STUFFED DATES

Steps:

• If the dates still have pits, slice carefully down along the length of the date. Open it and remove the pit. Discard.
• Spoon 1/2-1 teaspoon goat cheese into the middle of each date and pinch together to close. It's okay if some filling is sticking out, it doesn't need to be completely sealed.
• Cut the bacon slices in half and wrap one half slice to around a date (the bacon ends should slightly overlap). Repeat nineteen more times.
• Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place bacon wrapped dates in a cast iron pan seam side down.
• Fry over medium high heat for 3-4 minutes, until the bacon shrinks and seals itself around the dates. Flip and fry another 2-3 minutes until it has a bit of colour.
• Flip dates back over and transfer pan to the oven. Bake at 400 degrees until bacon is cooked to your liking and goat cheese is gooey. This should take approximately 12-15 minutes.

BACON WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH MANCHEGO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Make an incision on one side of each date and insert a block of Manchego. 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 a sheet tray lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Roast the dates in the oven until the bacon on top is starting to crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the dates over and cook the other side until the bacon crisps.
• Remove the dates from the oven and brush both sides with maple syrup. Return the dates to the oven until they are really crackly and sticky, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve hot.

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.