I was speaking with a woman yesterday about dates.  She was saying how much she absolutely loved them, and then said she stuffs them with parmesan cheese, wraps them in bacon, and bakes them.

My mouth started watering, I got weak in the knees.  I knew that 24 hours were not going to pass before having them, myself.  And I was right – it was less than 20!

I’ve always liked dates, but I’ve never gone totally out of my way to bring them home or do anything with them.  They’ve always been part of the realm of so many foods, so little time...  That is about to change, especially since Victor said that he absolutely and totally loves dates.  The things ya learn after 15 years…

So, armed with my package of Medjool Dates, a wedge of parrano cheese (an Italian-style cheese that is actually produced in the Netherlands!) and a package of Niman Ranch bacon, I went to work.

The timing could not have been better.  We’re off to the bro-and-sis-in-laws for dinner today and Marie said “bring something, if you want”.  We had the ingredients right here.  We didn’t have to go to the store.  And… well.. we had to try them before giving the to people, right?!?

The dates all had pits, but a pair of needle-nose pliers took quick work of that!  Really.  I pitted 30 mdates in just a couple of minutes.

I cut small sticks of cheese and stuck them into the date.  Wrapped a half-strip of bacon around, and secured with a toothpick.

Into a very hot 450° oven for 15 minutes.

WOW!  They were good!  In fact, we were thinking that they might be too good to share and we could eat them all ourselves.  In the end, we chose the high road and will be bringing them with us to dinner.  It’s only twelve and a half hours into the new year.  Way too early to be selfish!