Loire Valley Dates with Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Nuts

Submitted by: Mark Konecny

This makes a very nice appetizer, served with a dry Chenin Blanc or Sancerre to offset the sweetness of the dates. 

Ingredients:

• Medjool Dates (adjust to the number of guests figure 3 dates per person)
• Roquefort Cheese (or according to your preference a milder version)

• Bacon (if you get the really thick cut, it will not crisp) ½ strip for each date

• Filbert or Hazelnut rough chopped

• Frozen Pastry Sheet cut into squares for the dates

You can always leave out the nuts or serve without the puff pastry if you prefer.

Instructions:

1. Set oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place the Pastry squares on parchment paper and cook to done according to directions.  
3. Mix the cheese and nuts into a crumbly filling.
4. Cut open the dates, remove seed.  
5. Take a small amount of filling and place inside the date.  
6. Wrap date with bacon and fix in place with a toothpick.
7. Cook for 35-40 mins turning once to brown on all sides.  
8. Place on pastry puffs and serve warm.