Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Bacon Wrapped Dates

1 pound pitted dates, my favorite are Medjool dates

1 cup creamy blue creamy, I love Gorgonzola Dolce

½ cup Marcona Almonds, roughly chopped

1 pound sliced bacon, strips trimmed as needed (see note below)

Neutral oil, for frying

toothpicks, for frying

skewers, for serving

Open the dates slightly. Mix the blue cheese and chopped almonds. Place a pinch of the filling inside the date and pinch the date closed. Wrap the date with a slice of bacon and secure with two toothpicks.

Heat 1-2 inches of oil to 350˚F in a large, heavy bottomed pot. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Fry the dates until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Remove and drain on the rack. When cool enough to handle, remove the toothpicks and replace with a skewer for serving.

You can also roast the dates in the oven at 375˚F for about 10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Note: Trim each bacon strip so it wraps all the way around the filled dates and then overlaps itself a little to make sure you get a good seal. We cut an inch or so off our bacon.