This recipe is from an incredibly talented friend of ours, and an incredible Executive Chef in Bakersfield. Robert Almirizai you and your beautiful wife Melvin are our hero's!!! We will never forget the most amazing dinner you prepared for us. We were very spoiled!
I never thought I would eat a date, until I first tried his dates at his restraunt. So amazing!
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates
20-30 pitted dates
1 lb original thin bacon
1 pckge cream cheese
Preheat oven to 350. Slice date in half and remove pit, then stuff with 1-2 tsp cream cheese. Flap the date closed again. Wrap with thin slice of bacon around side, cutting off extra bacon and using it for the next date. You only need one thin band of bacon. Place on cookie sheet lined with foil. Repeat process until finished. Bake in oven for approx. 30-45min. or until bacon is cooked to your liking. I like it nice and crispy.
You can also serve with a balsamic reduction. Reduce 2 cups balsamic vinigar in a small pot on low heat for about 30-45 minutes or until reduced in half. Allow it to cool, then drizzle over the cooked stuffed dates. EnJOY!