Warm Dates With Blue Cheese And Prosciutto Food

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.

GRILLED CHEESE WITH DATES AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Spread the butter on one side of each bread slice. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Put 2 bread slices in the skillet, buttered-side down. Layer 2 slices of prosciutto, 1 slice of cheese, one-quarter each of the dates and basil, and another slice of cheese on each piece of bread. Close each with another piece of bread, buttered-side up.
• Cook, pressing the sandwiches occasionally with a spatula, until the cheese melts and the bread is golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Repeat to make 2 more sandwiches.

DATES AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Using a sharp paring knife, cut a slit into each date (remove pits, if needed); stuff with blue cheese. Arrange on a serving platter and sprinkle the almonds on top. Drizzle with honey.

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.

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.

WARM DATES STUFFED WITH BLUE CHEESE AND PECANS

Steps:

• If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for at least 30 minutes.
• Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F).
• In a small saucepan combine the vinegar and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until the mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• In a small bowl mash the blue cheese and pecans together with a fork. Make a small slice the length of each date and pull out the pit. Stuff each date with about 1 teaspoon of the cheese mixture, pressing it closed as much as possible. Thread two dates on each skewer so that the skewer goes through both halves of each date. Lightly spray with the canola oil.
• Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the dates over direct medium heat, with the lid closed, until heated through, about 1 minute.
• Arrange the dates on a platter and let cool for 10 minutes. Serve the dates warm with the glaze.