I had a version of this served as a tapas in Spain which used delicious jamon iberico which is hard to find and expensive in the US. So I modified the recipe with easy to find ingredients. Feel free to substitute a different blue cheese such as Maytag Blue or English Stilton if desired. It is sure to be a winner at any cocktail party.

24 Dates

1/2 lb. Gorgonzola Dolce

48 Marcona Almonds

12 Slices of Bacon

Toast almonds in a dry pan till fragrant for about 5 minutes or till browned and nutty odor fills the kitchen.

Slit dates through to the core and carefully fold date open and remove pit being careful not to tear the date halves apart.

Place a generous sliver of gorgonzola cheese inside each date, then press two almonds into the cheese and fold dates closed.

Cut each bacon slice into two half sized slices. In a medium high skillet, partially cook bacon until some of the fat renders out, but the bacon is still soft and pliable. Allow to cool till it can be handled. Pour off all but a tablespoon of the bacon fat. Wrap each 1/2 bacon slice around one of the dates and secure with a toothpick. Ten minutes before ready to serve, place bacon wrapped dates into a skillet set on medium heat and cook till bacon is crisp turning often to brown evenly.

Drain briefly on paper towels and serve.

This recipe currently has 0 comments. Add your own comment in the right hand menu.