Thursday, May 15, 2014

LOADED Bacon Wrapped Dates - 52 Grilling Time Secret Extras

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I first tried one of these off of a food truck in Tennessee.  LOVED em and have been working on a signature version for awhile.  After a few trials and errors I came up with this combination of the sweet dates, the savory tomato pesto, a spicy Pecan surprise in the center surrounded by creamy cheesy goodness and all wrapped up inside BACON BACON BACON!

Delicious and easy to fit into any BBQ, Burgers and dogs or a multi course extravaganza!

All the prep work and assembly can be done hours in advance so you can just toss on the grill, cook and serve.  These are small enough you can just add around whatever you have cooking.

Fantastic little appetizers.  I try to pull them from the grill same time I am "resting" my meat so everyone has an appetiser to chew on while waiting.

But make enough, they are WONDERFUL and it is hard to stop at just one.


OK... Here's what I did...


LOADED
Bacon Wrapped Dates


Ingredients
  • FOR The SPICED PECANS
  • 2 TBS Butter
  • 12 Pecan Halves, Do not get pieces, as big and whole as you can find
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • FOR The FINISHED DATES
  • 12 Medjool Dates
  • 4 Ounces Goat Cheese
  • 4 Ounces SunDried Tomato Pesto
  • 6 Slices Thick Cut Bacon, cut in half
  • Toothpicks or Skewers
Cooking Directions
  1. Hours before your BBQ, do the prep work... FIRST, make the spiced Pecans...
  2. In a small saute pan, Melt the butter over medium high heat.
  3. Add the pecan halves, salt and cayenne pepper. Reduce heat to low and saute the pecans until they just start to toast, about 10 minutes. STirring occasionally, the pecans will also absorb most of the butter making them slightly soft but still slightly crunchy for texture.
  4. Meanwhile, prepare the remaining ingredients...
  5. Slice each date through just one side so that the seed is exposed but the dates are not cut in half. Just enough to remove seed and open a pocket in the date.
  6. In each date, insert an equal small amount (about a 1/2 tsp each) of the Cheese, sun dried tomato Pesto and one of the finished Spiced Pecans.
  7. Wrap each with the half bacon slices and secure with a toothpick or a long skewer.
  8. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
  9. Over direct heat on your grill, add the wrapped dates. Takes about 10 minutes for them to cook. The dripping bacon grease will cause flare ups so stay close and turn often until all sides of the bacon is cooked. The dates and the stuffing are safe to eat as is, you are just heating them. The dish is finished when the bacon is cooked.
  10. Serve HOT from the grill and ENJOY!!!


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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Grilling Time Secret Extras" or "52 Ways to Cook BBQ and Grilling Recipes"!!!

Well over 52 recipes actually as I just can't stop... Over 100 in one grilling season (I love to grill!). But not just leat... Drinks, Condiments (LOTS of different BBQ sauces), Drinks, Desserts... even specialty items like GRILLED Pizza, and fun shaped Watermelons.  Easy and these ideas will make you the MASTER of your Backyard Domain!

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