For my last post of 2016 (yes, that’s right, I’m taking a little break until 2017 rolls around), I thought I’d share my new favourite appetizer: sweet & spicy bacon-wrapped dates! These are 100% guest-approved, and they are the simplest, easiest appetizer. Everyone raves about them (if I do say so myself!), and they can be prepared in just a few minutes. These delicious little appetizers look and feel fancy, without all the finicky and time-consuming preparation!
I’m joining my bloggers friends for a virtual cocktail party today, so be sure to hang around at the end of this post and check out all their fabulous ideas! This party was organized by the lovely ladies at 2 Bees in a Pod: thanks for organizing, Vicki and Jennifer. 🙂
Sweet & Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- 283 g pitted dates (about 40 dates)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (honey would work if you don’t have maple syrup)
- 3 1/2 tsp (or to taste) hot sauce (I use La Costeña Mexican Hot Sauce – you can use your favourite!)
- 1 lb bacon (about 20 slices), each slice cut into thirds
- toothpicks
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine the maple syrup and hot sauce in a medium bowl.
- Add dates to maple syrup mixture and coat completely. Allow the dates to marinade for up to 24 hr.
- Wrap each date in 1/3 slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place dates on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake dates approximately 15 minutes on the middle rack, or until maple syrup is caramelizing and bacon is cooked.
This really is an unbelievably simple recipe: just four simple ingredients. There are plenty of variations on it, too: you could stuff the dates with goat or blue cheese, or substitute honey instead of maple syrup. If you want to add some salt to your flavour palette, you could add a bit of soya sauce to the maple mixture.
These make a great appetizer for a potluck meal because you can make so many in such a short time. Preparing one full batch takes approximately 10 minutes (not including the marinade). If you are transporting them, it is best to bake them on-site when you arrive. You could bake them half-way and then finish on-site, but it is best to serve them warm. So yummy!
Before you start hopping around to the other wonderful posts in our virtual cocktail party, I want to take a moment to wish you happy holidays (however you celebrate!), and a VERY good new year. 2016 brought our family so much joy (mostly in the form of a sweet little baby girl), and I wish you and yours every health and happiness in the year to come. It is such a pleasure to share my creative adventures with you each week: thank you for taking the time to read my musings here at Flourish & Knot. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and I’m looking forward to seeing you back here in 2017!
xoxo
