Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese & pecans and honey dip. Serves 8.

The Dates:
24 large dates
1 cup goat cheese
¼ cup toasted pecans, finely chopped
12 bacon slices, cut in half
24 toothpicks soaked in water for 80 minutes to reduce burning


1.
Make a slit in the side of each date and carefully remove the pit
2.
In a small bowl, combine the cheese and the pecans
3.
Using a small teaspoon, scoop and fill each date. Close the dates around the cheese mixture. Wrap each date in bacon, covering completely; secure with toothpick. Place prepared dates on a foil lined sheet pan.
4.
Preheat broiler. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat source until bacon is browned, watching carefully to prevent burning.
5.
Transfer dates to platter. Serve with the warm honey dip.

Honey Dip

1 cup mild honey (clover, mesquite, orange blossom work fine – use a local honey source!)
Pinch of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ancho chili powder


1.
Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over low heat just to melt the honey.
2.
Serve warm with the stuffed dates.

The Pecan Store
www.pecanstore.com
1625 E. Sahuarita Rd.,
Sahuarita, Arizona 85629
1.800.327.3226, fax 520.629.0119