Description

These Goats Cheese Stuffed Dates are a delightful appetizer combining the sweetness of dates with the creamy tang of goat cheese and the savory crunch of turkey bacon and walnuts. Enhanced with fresh rosemary, orange zest, and a hint of maple syrup and brown sugar, these bites are baked to perfection for a warm, flavorful treat perfect for entertaining or as a sophisticated snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Dates

20 dates

Turkey Bacon Mixture

250 g turkey bacon, diced
40 g walnuts, chopped
1 tbsp rosemary, finely diced (divided)
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp brown sugar

Goat Cheese Mixture

250 g goat cheese
Zest of 1 orange
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F) to prepare for baking the stuffed dates.
Prepare Dates: Slice each date lengthwise and gently remove the seed to create space for the stuffing.
Cook Turkey Bacon Mixture: In a cold pan, add diced turkey bacon and cook over high heat for about 3 minutes. Then add the chopped walnuts, two-thirds of the finely diced rosemary, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Continue cooking the mixture until it becomes crispy, approximately 5 minutes. This creates a sweet and savory topping.
Make Goat Cheese Filling: In a food processor, blend goat cheese with orange zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. This mixture will be used to stuff the dates.
Stuff Dates: Using a teaspoon, fill each pitted date with the goat cheese mixture. Arrange the stuffed dates on a baking tray evenly.
Top and Bake: Spoon the cooked turkey bacon and walnut mixture over each stuffed date. Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes until the dates are warmed through and the cheese slightly softens.

Notes

Use turkey bacon as a leaner alternative to traditional bacon, reducing fat content.
To avoid over-sweetness, adjust maple syrup and brown sugar according to taste.
Fresh rosemary adds a fragrant herbal note; finely dice it for even distribution.
Serve these stuffed dates warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Can be prepared ahead by stuffing the dates and refrigerating, then baking just before serving.