Roasted Dates With Pancetta Almonds And Chile Food

HONEY ALMOND DATE BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grind almond in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a baking sheet and toast in oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until fragrant and a shade darker.
• Roughly chop dates and add to food processor. Pulse until finely chopped and dates form a ball. Remove from processor to a bowl. Add half of the ground almonds to the dates, leaving the reserved almonds on the baking pan to roll the balls in once formed.
• Add honey to the date and almond mixture. Mix together until evenly incorporated and smooth. Coat hands with some vegetable oil so that mixture does not stick too much and form mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll each ball in chopped almonds to coat well. Place in a tightly sealed container until ready to eat. Any leftover chopped nuts for coating can be sprinkled over the balls to keep them from sticking together if transporting. Will keep for up to 5 days at room temperature or up to a week, if refrigerated.

ROASTED DATES WITH SMOKED BACON AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; set a rack over the baking sheet.
• Lay the bacon out on the rack. Transfer to the oven and bake until cooked but not crispy, 12 to 15 minutes. Let the bacon cool for about 5 minutes before cutting into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Lower the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the rack from the baking sheet; replace the aluminum with parchment paper.
• Cut a lengthwise slit in the dates, just long enough to remove the pits. Carefully remove the pits. Fill each date with a scant teaspoon of the goat cheese. Carefully insert a piece of bacon into the cheese in each date. Bake the stuffed dates for about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

STUFFED DATES WITH ALMONDS OR PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350°F.
• Place the nuts on a baking pan in the middle rack of the oven. Bake
• for 15 minutes or until fragrant, stirring frequently.
• Cool for 10 minutes before use.
• Place one almond or pecan inside the date. Roll in powdered sugar if
• desired. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.