Bacon Wrapped Dates with Almonds

Name: Bacon-Wrapped-Dates-with-Almonds
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: makes 24
Ingredients: 24 large moist dates, such as medjool; 12 not-too-thick slices of bacon; 2 oz. softened goat cheese; 24 whole toasted unsalted almonds

Serves
makes 24

MEREDITH HEUER

These simple, hyper-flavorful appetizers, which balance salty crisp bacon with sweet chewy dates, with a rich almond center, are a popular bar snack at the Red Cat in New York City. Served piled high on a plate, they're a perfect cocktail-party finger food.

Ingredients

24 large moist dates, such as medjool
12 not-too-thick slices of bacon
2 oz. softened goat cheese
24 whole toasted unsalted almonds

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Instructions

Step 1

Move oven rack to upper third of oven and preheat oven to 500°. Pit dates, tearing them open as little as possible. Set dates aside. Halve the 12 slices of bacon crosswise. Put the goat cheese into a pastry bag fitted with a round, plain 1⁄4" tip.

Step 2

Stuff cavity of each date with 1 almond. Pipe goat cheese into the opening of each stuffed date. Wrap 1 half-piece of bacon around width of each date and put dates, seam side down, on a baking sheet, at least 1⁄2" apart. Bake until bacon is golden and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool briefly before serving.