Date Goat Cheese Basil Bites Food

DATES WITH GOAT CHEESE WRAPPED IN PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Heat broiler to low. Spoon 1 teaspoon cheese into each date; wrap with a basil leaf, then a prosciutto strip. Secure with a toothpick. Broil until cheese bubbles, about 3 minutes. Serve warm.

DATE GOAT CHEESE BASIL BITES

Steps:

• Mix goat cheese, honey, and basil together in a bowl until smooth and creamy; refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Preheat toaster oven or oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Fill dates with goat cheese filling using a small spoon. Wrap each date with enough prosciutto to cover entire date and secure with a toothpick. Arrange on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated toaster oven until prosciutto becomes crisp and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Flip each date and continue baking until crisp on top, about 5 more minutes.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND BASIL

Steps:

• For chicken: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Pound chicken between sheets of waxed paper to thickness of 1/4 inch using meat mallet.
• Pat chicken dry.
• Combine cheese, green onions and basil in small bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Spread cheese mixture lengthwise over half of each chicken piece.
• Tuck short ends in.
• Roll chicken up, starting at one long side, into tight cylinders.
• Tie ends with string to secure or secure with a toothpick (my preference).
• Dip chicken in egg, allowing excess to drip into bowl.
• Roll in breadcrumbs, shaking off excess.
• (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate.) Place chicken in 8-inch square baking dish.
• Pour 2 tablespoons melted butter over.
• Bake until cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• For sauce: Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat.
• Add mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Add flour and stir until butter and flour are smooth.
• Add wine and simmer 3 minutes.
• Add stock and continue simmering about 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Season sauce with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Remove string from chicken.
• Cut rolls crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds.
• Top with sauce and serve immediately.

GOAT CHEESE STUFFED DATES WITH BASIL & PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Soak toothpicks in water while preparing the dates. Use a sharp paring knife to slit each date lengthwise, and pop out the pit. Snip basil leaves from stems - use sharp scissors to avoid bruising the leaves. For larger leaves, slice in half lengthwise.
• Cut prosciutto into strips about 1 inch wide by 4 inches long. For packaged prosciutto this generally means cutting each strip into quarters.
• Preheat broiler.
• With a small spoon, butter knife, or offset spatula, stuff about 1 teaspoons goat cheese into each date.
• Wrap a basil leaf around each date.
• Wrap prosciutto over the basil, securing with a toothpick.
• Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
• Broil for about 2-3 minutes, use tongs to turn dates over, and broil another 2-3 minutes until prosciutto is golden and sizzling.
• Transfer to serving dishes.
• Garnish with fresh basil.
• Delicious hot from the over or at room temperature.