Dates Stuffed With Goat Cheese Food

GOAT-CHEESE-STUFFED DATES

Steps:

• Beat goat cheese by hand until smooth, then stir in heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and spreadable.
• Make a slit lengthwise in each date, and remove the pit. Fill each date with a heaping teaspoon of goat cheese mixture. Sprinkle with salt just before serving.

CHEESE-STUFFED DATES WITH PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the cheeses and basil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Gently pull the dates apart and stuff with about 1/2 teaspoon of the cheese mixture. Close the dates around the filling. Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each date and secure with a toothpick.
• Arrange the stuffed dates on a platter and serve.

BACON WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH ALMONDS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Move oven rack to upper third of oven and preheat to 500°F.
• Stuff each date with an almond, then fill the remaining space with softened goat cheese using a pastry bag.
• Wrap a piece of bacon around each date and secure with a pick.
• Place dates on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake until bacon is golden and crispy, 6-8 minutes.
• Set aside to cool briefly before serving.
• For presentation, insert picks into half a pineapple sliced lengthwise.

GOAT CHEESE AND SALAMI STUFFED DATES

Steps:

• Toast pistachios in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 5-8 minutes. Let cool slightly, then finely chop.
• Mix goat cheese, salami, and lemon zest in a medium bowl.
• Slice dates in half lengthwise, taking care not to cut all the way through, and open like a book. Stuff each date with a small scoop of goat cheese mixture.
• Arrange dates, filling side up, on a large plate or platter. Drizzle honey over and top with pistachios.

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.