Everyone loves bacon wrapped and cheese stuffed dates: they are sweet and salty and crunchy. Yum!

These are great served as an appetizer. They are also fantastic chopped up and served over a light green salad with chickpeas, avocado, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Makes 6 bacon dates:

• 6 dates
• 3 pieces of organic bacon
• 6 pieces of sheeps milk manchego cheese, cut into pieces that fit inside the dates

1. Turn oven on 350 degrees. 
2. Cut a lengthwise slit in each date and remove the pit. 
3. Chop the cheese into logs that fit inside the dates. Stuff the pieces of cheese into the dates. 
4. Cut each piece of bacon in half and use each half to wrap one cheese stuffed date. Secure the bacon in place using a toothpick.
5. Load the dates onto a cast iron pan and bake for 15 minutes. Flip dates and cook for another 15 minutes. Flip dates one last time and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to sit in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
6. Cool enough to eat. Enjoy!

*please use organic ingredients, if possible. 

This recipe requires basic culinary skills- click to read about how I rate the difficulty of my recipes.