Bacon Wrapped Dates

 

Hard to believe they taste this good and are that easy to make!

Okay, so we have all done it before.  You show up at a late summer picnic, church potluck or party of some kind with the least popular side dish as evidenced by how much you had to cart home.  Let us be honest, there is only so much Jello-fruit salad you care to eat one week later.  These bacon wrapped dates are sure to be a crowd pleaser!

 

Dates wrapped in bacon, so simple yet so yummy!  Hat tip to our buddy Ann Marie over at Cheeseslave for the scoop on this new easy favorite:

 

Ingredients:

Your quantities are approximate, so depending on how thickly your bacon is sliced you will need approximately 3 dozen dates (check your local ethnic grocery store), 1 lb of bacon (nitrate free if you can find it), and about 3 dozen toothpicks.

 

1. Soak your toothpicks in water.

2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

3. Start out with half slices of bacon.

4. I used already-pitted dates, but if you have to pit the dates yourself please be careful. 

5. Take an individual date and wrap it with a half a slice of raw bacon. I had the best luck with toothpicks to hold the form together.

6. Place the dates wrapped in bacon in a cast iron skillet or baking dish suitable for the job.

7. Bake for 15-20 minutes.   When the bacon is done to your satisfaction—you are done!

Quick Tip: the tighter the bacon wrapped dates are packed together, the longer you will have to bake them to get that perfect crispness.

8. Remove from oven and place in a serving dish.

 

 

Give this easy recipe for bacon wrapped dates a try and leave a comment to let us know what you thought—you too may just develop a new favorite!  Or, take it up a notch with bacon wrapped dates with almonds! 

 

Wilson

Pro Deo et Patria

Photo Credits:

All photos by Pantry Paratus

 This blog is linked to Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop!