1. Buy Medjool dates, remove the pits.
2. Stuff each date with a square–or stick–of real Parmesan (1- by 1/4 inch)
3. Wrap each date with 1/3 a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 450 degrees for 5 minutes, then turn with tongs and bake 5 to 6 minutes more (until the bacon is crispy).
5. Serve to your very happy guests.
[Based on this recipe.]
I’ve done this before using almonds in place of the parmesan – very tasty indeed!
I think I love you now!!! My next dinner party? This will so be on the table!
My mother used to make these every Christmas as an appetizer (almond version, and grilled, not baked). I suspect she made them because it’s the kind of stuff kids hate but adults love (thus stopping us from devouring and then not eating anything else). Your post has brought a fond memory of those days…
anything wrapped in bacon makes me happy. hell, bacon wrapped in bacon…heartstopping.
Can’t wait to try it.
Great cocktail party snack idea, I’ll have to try it. Another thing to do is take dried figs, hollow them out, put a mixture of bleu cheese (great hill) and candied toasted walnuts inside, then wrap in proscuitto. Heat in a 350 oven for about 10-15 minutes.
I do something similar with mushrooms and parma ham. Wrap up a mushroom with the parma, and bung it onto a skewer. Put a bay leaf (or sage) on, then another wrapped mushroom. Brush with EVO, salt, pepper, and grill for a bit.
You know that this is based on a classic 70’s appetizer called Devil’s on Horseback? Except the classic version involves blue cheese, dates and bacon. Don’t know about the devils, or the horses, though.
I use manchego cheese instead of the parmesan and then put a little good quality chipotle barbecue sauce on the outside (if I’m grilling) just before I remove from grill. It is also nice to roast a jalapeno, cut a thin slive, and put it in with the cheese to add a little bit to the sweetness of the date.
By the way, I’m a newbie to this site and it is great!