BAR SNACKS OR PARTY APPETIZER

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Almonds

Source: Saveur

                                                                Photo: Meredith Heuer

MAKES 24

At the Red Cat in New York City, these are a popular choice on the bar menu.

24 large moist dates, such as medjool
12 slices of bacon
2 oz. softened goat cheese
24 whole toasted unsalted almonds

1. Move oven rack to upper third of oven and preheat oven to 500 °.

2. Pit dates, tearing them open as little as possible. Set dates aside. Halve the 12 slices of bacon crosswise. Put the goat cheese into a pastry bag fitted with a round, plain 1⁄4" tip.

3. Stuff cavity of each date with 1 almond. Pipe goat cheese into each stuffed date. Wrap 1 piece of bacon around width of each date.

4. Put dates on a baking sheet, seam side down, at least 1⁄2" apart. Bake until bacon is golden and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool briefly before serving.

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #70

Posted by Chef Bill Brooks, Corporate Chef, U.S. Foodservice, Inc

Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily

reflect those of U.S. Foodservice, Inc