Date, Bacon & Blue Cheese Skewers
Ingredients
- 12 Mariani Pitted Dates
- 6 oz blue cheese (Gorgonzola or Stilton), cut into 12 small pieces (170 g)
- 6 slices bacon, cut in half crosswise (12 short pieces)
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze (30 ml)
- 12 small skewers or sturdy toothpicks
- 12 toasted almond or pecan halves, optional
Instructions
- 1. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a small sheet pan with parchment and arrange the 12 bacon pieces flat on it. Bake for 6–8 minutes until the bacon is partially cooked and pliable, but not yet crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- 2. While the bacon cools, make a slit in each date (don’t cut all the way through) and tuck in a piece of blue cheese (and a nut half, if using) so it just peeks out.
- 3. Wrap each stuffed date with 1 half-slice of the par-cooked bacon, seam side down, and secure with a toothpick/skewer.
- 4. Arrange the assembled skewers on the prepared pan and bake for 6–8 minutes more, turning once, until the bacon is crisp and browned and the cheese looks just melty.
- 5. Transfer to a serving board and drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze.
- Try this: Swap blue cheese for goat cheese if you prefer something milder.
