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Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Almonds and Feta

November 7, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner 16 Comments

This recipe was recently published in the November/December issue of Front Porch Magazine… 
Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Feta and Almonds
Arkansas Women Bloggers held its annual blogger conference in September at Ferncliff Camp just outside Little Rock. Day One on the agenda—a food challenge demanding quick and creative kitchen skills not unlike today’s reality cooking shows made popular by Iron Chef.
Seven teams were provided boxes of identical ingredients along with a pantry stocked with additional basics. With only forty-five minutes to create twenty appetizers, competition was fierce. To make things more interesting, each team was allowed one secret ingredient.
I was part of the winning team led by Kellee Mayfield (Delta Moxie) of Lake Village. Kellee came with a box of tricks including our secret ingredient, Miso Soy, plus decorative napkins and serving platters. Every southern girl knows presentation is an important part of the food equation.
The appetizer our team created was inspired by one of my favorite Southern Living party recipes, Bacon-Wrapped Almond-Stuffed Apricots. Our first stumbling block—the pantry had no apricots. Instead, we substituted dates then put our heads together to create the winning dish using Arkansas Petit Jean Bacon and other locally grown ingredients.
(I can’t go into specifics, but there was even a bit of bartering to secure the feta cheese from another team…)
Hard at work! (photo courtesy of Julie Kohl of www.eggsandherbs.com)
According to the slate of foodie judges from Memphis and Little Rock, our dipping sauce made with orange marmalade and Miso Soy would make plywood taste great! 
It was that good.
The saltiness of Petit Jean bacon and crumbly feta paired with sweet dates and orange marmalade proved to be a delicious combination and possibly even better than the original inspiration. This recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next holiday gathering.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Almonds and Feta
(makes 24 pieces)
 
12 slices bacon, cut into halves
24 dates
24 whole almonds
feta
green onions (4-5)
3/4 cup orange marmalade
Miso Soy paste (or 2 tablespoons of Soy Sauce)
Method
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
Slice a pocket into each date and stuff with one almond and a small sliver of feta cheese.
Close date and wrap with bacon slice. Secure with wooden toothpick.
Place on wire rack in an aluminum foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, turning once to brown each side.
Mix miso soy paste with water (according to package instructions) to make two tablespoons. Add to marmalade and heat in a small, microwave safe bowl at medium 1 minute or until blended.
Arrange appetizers on a serving platter. Drizzle with dipping sauce and top with a sprinkle of chopped green onions. Serve warm with extra sauce for dipping.
Enjoy!
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center - Arkansas Women Bloggers
Ferncliff


Filed Under: Food & Recipes Tagged With: appetizers, Arkansas Women Bloggers, feta, party food, Superbowl recipes

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Comments

  1. Pary Moppins says

    November 7, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE bacon wrapped dried fruit! I’ve never thought about dipping them in miso though; what a great idea!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 7, 2013 at 8:33 pm

      Thank you! Let me know if you try them.

      Reply
  2. Meredith Moorman says

    November 7, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Looks so good! Definitely a unique idea…I’ll have to try!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 7, 2013 at 8:32 pm

      Thanks! It works great with apricots too.

      Reply
  3. Pristine says

    November 7, 2013 at 4:26 pm

    This sounds yummy! Will have to save this recipe to try soon. Thanks for sharing

    Pristine
    newkidontheloch.com

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 7, 2013 at 8:32 pm

      Thanks! I know you’ll like it!

      Reply
  4. Taylor Bradford says

    November 7, 2013 at 4:51 pm

    How did I miss tasting these?! 😉

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 7, 2013 at 8:31 pm

      I don’t know! Although you were very busy:))

      Reply
  5. Vickie @ makingoursustainablelife.com says

    November 7, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    Hmmmm….dates and bacon with feta? I’m in. Then, dip it in miso and orange marmelade? Sounds like a dream! Thanks for the recipe. I may try it for Thanksgiving day snacks!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 7, 2013 at 8:31 pm

      Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  6. Gary Henderson says

    November 8, 2013 at 6:10 am

    Well, NOW I’m hungry. ::checks clock:: Great. And it’s only 3 hours till lunch.

    Reply
  7. Gary Henderson says

    November 8, 2013 at 6:11 am

    I wonder what one could substitute for the almond for those of me who can’t eat nuts?

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 8, 2013 at 8:40 am

      Gary, you could stuff the dates with feta cheese, wrap it in bacon and never miss the almond…not that you would miss it.

      Reply
  8. Debbie Arnold says

    November 8, 2013 at 12:46 pm

    I really think you guys should have named this after me: Debbie Doe Dates has a nice ring to it😍

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 8, 2013 at 2:14 pm

      Good idea Debbie! Bacon-wrapped Debbie Does Dates…

      Reply
    • Dorothy Johnson says

      November 10, 2013 at 2:11 pm

      I will be making these the next time I need to take something to a party!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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