Have you ever had one of those moments where a single bite catapults you into a world of exquisite flavors, leaving an invisible, but long-lasting mark on your taste buds? That’s exactly what happened when I first encountered goat cheese-stuffed dates. I was out for a celebratory dinner at a fancy restaurant when I first ordered this appetizer.
The dish was a revelation—a symphony of sweet, savory, and creamy sensations dancing on my palate. Each bite delivered a delightful contrast between the natural sweetness of the dates, the tanginess of the goat cheese, and the savory crunch of bacon.
Little did I know, recreating this gourmet dish would be a breeze. With just a few ingredients – dates, goat cheese, and bacon – you can easily craft these delicious treats in your home kitchen.
This dish comes together quickly with sliced, pitted dates. Each date is stuffed with creamy goat cheese, then, snugly wrapped with a half slice of bacon, secured in place by a toothpick.
Let the anticipation build as the aroma of these bites fills your kitchen. After about 15-18 minutes in the oven, the bacon will crisp to perfection and the goat cheese will be warm and soft.
Once they’re done, place them on a paper towel-lined plate, letting them rest for a minute or two, before finishing it all off with a crack of black peppercorns.
I recommend serving them immediately after resting for best results. If they’re left out for too long, they will harden and dry out.
The magic of these goat cheese-stuffed dates lies not just in their layers of flavors but in the realization that something so seemingly sophisticated can be effortlessly replicated at home. A testament to the simple pleasures that can be found within the walls of your kitchen, this easy appetizer redefines the meaning of gourmet indulgence.
Treat yourself, your family, and your friends to this sensational appetizer, and let me know how you like it!
Bacon-Wrapped Goat Cheese Dates
Equipment
- 1 full baking sheet
- 1 Knife
- Toothpicks
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool Dates
- 6 oz Goat Cheese
- 6 slices Bacon
- Fresh Cracked Black Peppercorns
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Slice dates lengthwise on one side, without cutting through the bottom, to create an opening and remove the pit. If the dates are already pitted, just slice lengthwise.
- Using a small spoon, fill the opening in each date with goat cheese until full (not overflowing) and press the sides together lightly to close.
- Cut each bacon slice in half, and wrap each filled date. Secure the bacon with a toothpick.
- Place the filled dates on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Using the toothpick, flip the dates and bake for another 5-8 minutes until the bacon is slightly browned.
- Place the cooked bacon wrapped dates on a paper towel lined plate, and let stand for 1-2 minutes.
- Garnish with cracked black pepper before serving (optional).
