Bacon and Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Recipe

Nature can be pretty delicious. Case in point: sometimes it's truly astounding just how little effort it takes to make food taste great; and this recipe, as much as any, proves that point. Sweet, salty, smoky, creamy: In a single bite, these tiny packages take you through the highest peaks of flavor country. Each bite containing a single, natural date, wrapped in delicious bacon and blue cheese. And before you feel too guilty about the bacon or blue cheese, lets list off a few of the (many) health benefits of dates, (and we're not talking dinner and a movie). Dates are high in fiber, rich in antioxidants known to fight off illness, and are also known to promote brain health. Show up at a party or a potluck with these little gems and suddenly you—and your dates—will be inundated with invites to swanky soirees all across town.

Nutrition: 220 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated), 300 mg sodium

Serves 4

You'll Need

8 Medjool dates
8 almonds
1⁄4 cup crumbled blue cheese
4 strips bacon, cut in half
Black pepper to taste6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

How to Make It

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Using a sharp paring knife, make a slit across the length of a date so that the pocket in the fruit is exposed.
3. Remove the small pit inside the date and replace with an almond.
4. Spoon about 1⁄2 tablespoon of blue cheese into the pocket, so that it's tightly stuffed but not overflowing with cheese.
5. Place the date at the bottom of a bacon strip half and roll up as tightly as possible.
6. Secure with a toothpick. Repeat with the remaining 7 dates.
7. Place the dates on a nonstick baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, until the bacon has rendered and is brown and crispy.
8. Top each with a bit of black pepper and serve.

Eat This Tip

Stuffing Dates in Three Steps:

Stuffing dates isn't rocket science, as this recipe will teach you. Just be sure to wrap the bacon extra tight, and to only use just enough to cover the date once.

• Step 1: Make a cut across the fruit; scoop out seed
• Step 2: Stuff with almond and a spoonful of cheese
• Step 3: Wrap very tightly with a single layer of bacon

This recipe (and hundreds more!) came from one of our Cook This, Not That! books. For more easy cooking ideas, you can also buy the book!