A Surprising Taste Sensation {Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates}

Well it's been an eventful weekend of moving house, and finally I feel like we're pretty much there. Moving in with H is a big step for both of us and despite last minute panics, now that I am in I am very excited for our future together as a "cohabiting" couple (eeek, who'd have thought the day would come)!

In honour of this I am blogging one of H's favourite things I make, although to be fair he seems to love everything I put down in front of him, but this is the one he will often talk about! When I first stumbled upon this recipe I was very dubious I'm no lover of goats cheese or dates and yet this starter is both wonderfully unusual as well as tasting fantastic. I have yet to serve this to anyone who has not loved it so I urge you to give it a go – you won’t regret it! These dates also make a fantastic canapé and with just a few ingredients you know you are on to a winner, I often make these with some Gorgonzola and some goats cheese - variety is the spice of life. 

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates  

Dates – I used a large pack (yielded around 25-30 dates), pitted and cut down the middle. 
Approx. 150g of your favourite Goats Cheese (Gorgonzola works just as well)
15 pieces of streaky bacon, cut in half (smoked is best)

This really couldn’t be simpler – just take a small amount of the cheese and stuff it in to the middle of the date. Wrap the bacon around quite tightly and secure with a cocktail stick. Lay on a tray which I recommend you have covered with tin foil (will save on the washing up later). Bake in the oven for around 25 minutes at 180°C, turning once. Allow to cool for approx 5 minutes before serving as they get very hot. I served three stuffed dates on a slice of toasted ciabatta with a dressed salad on the side and it went down a treat - there were plenty leftover for seconds! You can prep these the night / morning before and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to pop them in the oven, making them even easier.  

I'm linking up this post with Alesha for Delicious Dish Tuesday

 

And  Supergolden bakes!