Bacon Wrapped Manchego Stuffed Dates Recipes

BACON WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH MANCHEGO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Make an incision on one side of each date and insert a block of Manchego. Squeeze the date shut in your hand to secure. Wrap each date with a bacon strip and secure with a toothpick. Place all the dates on a sheet tray lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Roast the dates in the oven until the bacon on top is starting to crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the dates over and cook the other side until the bacon crisps.
• Remove the dates from the oven and brush both sides with maple syrup. Return the dates to the oven until they are really crackly and sticky, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve hot.

MANCHEGO-STUFFED DATES WRAPPED IN BACON (TAPAS)

Steps:

• Preheat broiler (high setting).
• Cut your cheese into small rectangles just large enough to fill the cavity of your pitted date.
• Stuff 1 piece of cheese into each date.
• Wrap each date with a piece of bacon.
• Place on baking sheet, seam side down, and broil for 4 minutes. Turn dates over and broil another 4 minutes.
• Serve hot.
• NOTE: you can put a toothpick in each AFTER cooking for the convenience of your guests (but they won't look as pretty).

GRILLED BACON-WRAPPED DATES

Steps:

• Prepare an outdoor grill for medium indirect heat.
• Slice into the dates lengthwise, just deep enough so that you can pull out the pits with your fingers. Discard the pits. Fill each date with a piece of cheese and an almond. Wrap a slice of bacon around each date, trim all but an inch of overlap and secure with a toothpick. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Grill, on the indirect side, flipping occasionally, until the bacon is cooked through and crispy, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.