Roasted Dates With Smoked Bacon And Goat Cheese Food

BACON-WRAPPED DATES WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the dates lengthwise on one side to create an opening. Remove the pit.
• Using a spoon, stuff a small amount of goat cheese into the cavity of each date and press the sides together to close.
• Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each date with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
• Arrange evenly on a baking sheet with raised edges (otherwise grease will get everywhere) and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the dates and use the toothpick to turn each one so it's laying on its side. Bake for another 5-8 minutes, until browned to your liking, and turn the dates to the other side and repeat. Remove from the oven, place on a paper towel lined plate, and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

CREAMY GOAT CHEESE, BACON AND DATE DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together the goat cheese, cream cheese, lemon juice and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Transfer to a 1-quart baking dish or ovenproof skillet, and spread into an even layer. Bake until warmed through and bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, then add the dates to the bacon fat in the skillet, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the insides are warm and the outsides blister, about 1 minute.
• Top the baked cheese with the dates and bacon, and garnish as you wish. Serve at once.

ROASTED DATES WITH PANCETTA, ALMONDS AND CHILE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the dates on a small rimmed baking sheet and roast in the oven until heated through, about 15 minutes.
• In a medium saute pan over medium heat, cook the pancetta until it is three-quarters crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the almonds and continue cooking until they brown, a few minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so. Add the red pepper flakes and stock and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter, stirring continuously until the butter is melted. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley.
• Add the dates to the pan and swirl and toss them in the sauce. Divide the cooked dates among 4 to 6 plates and spoon the sauce over them.

WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE WITH WARM CANDIED BACON AND DATES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. On the baking sheet, toss together the bacon, 1 tablespoon rosemary, the brown sugar, 1 teaspoon honey, and the cayenne. Arrange in an even layer. Tear the dates and scatter them around the bacon. Bake 8-10 minutes, until the bacon is crisping.3. Meanwhile, combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy. The goat cheese mix can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days, but bring to room temp before serving. 4. In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup honey, 1 tablespoon rosemary, a pinch of cayenne - to taste, and a pinch of salt. 5. Spoon the goat cheese into a serving bowl and then top with the warm bacon and dates. Drizzle over a little the rosemary honey. Serve with bread or crackers.

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.