Heaven On A Plate

This is the appetizer you have been searching for your whole life.  People will close their eyes when they eat it. It's that good.  There are many versions of this recipe, some with an almond in the middle, some with cream cheese, but either way, they are heaven on a plate.  Do not be afraid of their appearance: not pretty. But the crispiness and greasiness of bacon is always attractive!  The sweetness of the date is just brought out and caramelized as it bubbles under the broiler.  Combine that with the creaminess of the goat cheese, and the salty crunch of the bacon, and angels practically come down from heaven to eat with you!  This seems fancy, because we rarely cook with dates.  {When was the last time you bought a package of dates?}  But if I can make this while Holden plays, than you can make it too.


You need:
--pkg. of dried {preferably pitted} dates
--small log of plain goat cheese
--BACON, beautiful bacon
To make:
--Slice the dates in half, and take out the pit 
--Use a knife to smash the goat cheese in the middle of the date, and close it back up...not too much cheese, just a reasonable amount.
--Place a 3rd of a slice of bacon over the top of the date.  Most recipes say to wrap it around the date, but then the bottom doesn't get crunchy, and this girl does not do mushy bacon.  
--Fasten the bacon to the date with a toothpick, or don't.  I didn't have toothpicks in the house tonight, so I didn't use any.
--Put them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and place under the broiler, watching closely.  
--Don't worry if the dates look like they are getting charred, they taste better that way.  
--When the bacon is cooked, take them out!
--Try not to burn your fingers as you eat them right off the pan.


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