Spanish Tapas: Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

I L*O*V*E Tapas! One of my most favorite Valentine’s Day dates was when my hubby took me out for Tapas. There’s just something about Tapas restaurants that are romantic; the lighting, the sharing of dishes, the music, etc. We had a dish very similar to this and it was love at first bite!

 I love bringing this recipe to parties (I brought it to both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve parties) because 1) is SO easy to make, 2) it’s uber delicious, and 3) it’s different from your typical party food.

Cook’s Note: The dates and goat cheese are usually expensive ingredients, but I got all the ingredients for this dish at Costco. The prices are much lower than at the grocery store and the quality is great.

Spanish Tapas: Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

Ingredients:

16 large Medjool dates, pitted

16 roasted almonds

1/4 C mild goat cheese, crumbled

8 slices of bacon (about 7 ounces), halved crosswise

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°. Cut a lengthwise slit in the dates and remove the pit. Stuff each one with an almond and about ½-1 teaspoon of the goat cheese. Pinch the dates closed. Wrap each date securely in a piece of bacon and arrange the dates, seam side down, on a wire rack set on a baking sheet.

Bake the stuffed dates for about 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and crisp; turn each date after 10 minutes. Serve the stuffed dates warm or at room temperature.

Make Ahead

The stuffed dates can be prepared through Step 1 and refrigerated for 1 day.

Source: Food and Wine.com

I’m linking this post up at:
Metamorphosis Monday, Menu Plan Monday , Skip to My Lou, Tip Me Tuesday, Today’s Creative Blog

Super Bowl Munchies Round-Up

Don't they all look super yummy?



Peanut Butter Popcorn





Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta





Guacamole





Spinach Artichoke Dip



Queso Blano Dip



Pizza Bites





Soft Pretzels



Spinach Artichoke Dip

Happy New Year everyone! I don’t know about you, but I am dog-tired this morning. Mia decided to ring in the New Year by waking up every hour on the hour from midnight until 7 am(teething stinks)…so you can imagine it was a long night! In any event, I am so excited to share this recipe with you! I made this last night for a New Year’s Eve party and it was a hit! It tastes just like the dips you get in restaurants without using mayonnaise (yuck!). Enjoy!

Psst…everyone make a wish today, it’s 1/1/11! J

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

4 cloves garlic

1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 (10 ounce) container Alfredo-style pasta sauce

1  C shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

¼ C shredded mozzarella cheese

Chopped tomato and fresh spinach for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place garlic in a small baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 20 to 30 minutes, until soft. Remove from heat. When cool enough to touch, squeeze softened garlic from skins and chop.

In a bowl combine all the ingredients minus the ¼ cup of mozzarella and the garnishes.

Pour the mixture onto an 8x8 inch baking dish.

Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven 20 minutes. Then remove the foil, add ¼ of mozzarella cheese to the top and place back in the oven, uncovered for 10 more minutes, or until the mozzarella is lightly golden. Top with you garnishes and serve warm.

Yields 12 servings.

Source: Adapted from Allrecipes.com

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore traditional bruschetta but sometimes I want something different. I made this for a party a while back and it could very well become my new, easy, go-to recipe for parties. I think this took me all of 20 minutes to whip up.

Strawberry-Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Ingredients:

    1  8-oz.  baguette

    1  Tbsp.  olive oil

    1  4-oz. log  goat cheese (chevre)

    1-1/2  cups  sliced strawberries

    1/2  cup  arugula

    Olive oil

    Sea salt or coarse salt

    Freshly ground black pepper

    Snipped fresh herbs

Directions:

1. Heat broiler. Halve baguette crosswise, then lengthwise. Place cut sides up on large baking sheet. Brush with the 1 tablespoon oil. Broil, 3 to 4 inches from heat, for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until lightly toasted.

2. Slice and divide cheese among toasts. Top with sliced berries. Broil 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese and berries soften. Remove from broiler; top with arugula. Drizzle additional oil. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and herbs. Makes 4 servings.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens