November 27, 2013

Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

I know that we’re in the Thanksgiving home stretch!  But I just had to tell you about this elegant and impossibly easy appetizer that would make your guests swoon with delight this holiday season.  You may decide to squeeze it in on the already over-packed Thanksgiving menu for tomorrow or wait until Christmas or New Year’s or a relaxed Saturday afternoon with friends.  It’s up to you.  And if you do choose to whip it up for the big dinner tomorrow, rest assured those ravenous appetites will be kept in check before the bird is ready!   




As you can see, it only took me a few postings to come up with another great recipe that has goat cheese at its core.  I recently made these super-tasty Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates for a tapas themed party for the iconic El Clásico, the most watched soccer game in the world.  I also made them for a dinner party, a birthday celebration, and I’m making them again for Thanksgiving.  As you can imagine, everyone was smitten at first bite, gobbled them down in no time, and then demanded seconds! 





Simply put, these dates are a breeze to throw together and are wonderfully meaty and chewy, sweet and salty, creamy and fragrant all in one mouthful.  You can wrap them in prosciutto (or Serrano ham if you opt for a Spanish kick) and freely snack on them before the main courses make it to the table.  Pair the dates with a cold, crisp white wine and they will bewitch you.  And a little side note – you may want to bump up the quantities – the crowd will ask for more!





Last year, I was in charge of the entire Thanksgiving menu, and although it was only for three people, it was daunting and uplifting at the same time.  This year, I’m back to being a contributor to the mighty feast by bringing these amazing Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates, these irresistible Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts, and my favorite Cranberry-Orange Sauce that I’ve made religiously for the past few years.  So, here you have it…  Enjoy the recipe and I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with delicious food and delightful company! 





Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto
Adapted slightly from Giada at Home by Giada de Laurentiis

Makes: 16 stuffed dates

Ingredients:

·         ¼ cup (2 ounces) goat cheese, at room temperature
·         ¼ cup (2 ounces) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
·         ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves (or dill)
·         Salt and freshly ground black pepper
·         16 Medjool dates
·         8 thin slices prosciutto, halved lengthwise
·         16 toothpicks or cocktail picks





Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix together the cheeses and basil (or dill).  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.





Using a paring knife, make a lengthwise incision in each date.  Gently open the dates slightly and remove the pits.  (Make sure you don’t cut the dates in half when making the incision!) 




Spoon about ½ teaspoon of the cheese and basil mixture inside each one.  Close the dates around the filling.  Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each date and secure with a toothpick. 

Arrange the stuffed dates on a platter and serve. 




Poftă Bună! (Bon Appétit!)

23 comments:

  1. The goat cheese stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto look so appetizing!!! This recipe looks so easy to make since it doesn’t require any cooking :) Laura

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  2. I love anything with goat cheese! And prosciutto :) These look great!

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    1. Thank you so much, Bianca! I love anything with goat cheese, too, and in combination with prosciutto it’s even better :)

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  3. These look fantastic. This is exactly the kind of appetiser I would love. Perfect with a drink in hand. I'll pin them xx

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    1. Thank you, Charlie! This appetizer is great with a drink in hand :) Thanks so much for pinning them!

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  4. These are gorgeous, Dana!!! I've done them with bacon, but prosciutto sounds even better!!!

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    1. Thank you, Liz! I'll have to try them with bacon; it sounds delicious :)

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    2. I've also had them wrapped in bacon. And a balsamic vinegar/brown sugar reduction brushed on after they are baked. My family loves prosciutto so I'm really happy to have this recipe. I know they will love it!! I'd never had a date until this Christmas and I'm close to being a senior citizen. One stuffed date and I was hooked!! Yum.

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  5. Dried dates are, without a doubt, my favorite! I eat one almost every day after I get home from work when I'm ravenous and preparing dinner. Add prosciutto and goat cheese (two more of my favorites) and I might not need to make dinner at all :)

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    1. Thank you, Katy! I love dried dates, too. And you're right – paired with goat cheese and prosciutto, you might not need to make dinner at all :)

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  6. Wow! These stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto must be awesome! Joshua

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    1. Thank you so much for the wonderful comment, Joshua! Happy Holidays! :)

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  7. These sound absolutely delicious Dana! I would not be able to stop eating these!

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    1. Hi Jenn! Thanks so much! I totally agree – it's hard to stop eating these stuffed dates :)

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  8. Dana, what a delicious little canape. I'll be handing these around with drinks on Christmas day. Perfect!

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    1. Thank you, Hester! These stuffed dates would be great with drinks on Christmas or New Year's :)

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  9. Hi Dana,

    These are great appetizers to serve for all kind of celebrations! I believe that they will be gone quickly for Christmas :D

    Zoe

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    1. Hi Zoe! I agree – these dates are perfect for all kind of celebrations and will be gone in no time :)

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  10. These stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto were the perfect appetizer for my tea party, yesterday. I got so many compliments :) Thank you, Dana!!! Laura

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    1. Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Laura! And you are very welcome! I'm so happy that everyone loved the stuffed dates and that you received many compliments :) Wish I were at your tea party. Happy Holidays!

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  11. Such a classy appetiser my friend, perfect for parties during Christmastime :D

    Happy Holidays!
    CCU

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    1. Thank you, my dear friend! This appetizer is perfect during the holidays or anytime :) Happy Holidays to you too!

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  12. Great item. I find it is even improved if you warm them in the oven to allow the cheese to warm up and get some of the fat rendering off the prosciutto. A dot of DOP balsamic doesn't hurt either. Cheers.

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