I’m going to kick off this column with two of the tastiest words you’ll ever hear: “bacon-wrapped.”
Does it even matter what follows this compound modifier of goodness? Wrap anything in bacon and you have the makings for awesomeness in your mouth. You’ve probably had bacon-wrapped shrimp or bacon-wrapped asparagus, both wonderful examples of bacon wrapped around a savory item.
But did you know you can pair bacon with a sweet food for an equally unctuous experience? Bacon is a savory, salty meat; when paired with something sweet, it’s a wonderful contradiction, a yin-yang of pleasure for you taste buds.
In this application, we’re pairing bacon with a date, a sweet fruit. Here’s another case of the sum being greater than the parts. On their own, both bacon and dates are wonderful. When paired, they are both taken to the next level.
Bacon-wrapped dates are super easy to make – basically wrap bacon around a date, insert toothpick and cook on a tray in an oven. They are delicious as a snack and will take any party to the next level as a excellent hors d’oeuvre.
For easier eating, buy dates that have been pitted. As for the bacon, I prefer center cut because it tends to be less fatty.
Ready to make a date with bacon? Let’s do this.
Bacon-wrapped dates
- 1 package center-cut bacon
- About a dozen dates (or however many you’d like to make)
- Music to make it by: Pearl Jam‘s Backspacer sounds good for this.
Step 1: Look at that: only two ingredients. Gather them and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking tray with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup. You can even make these in a toaster oven.
Step 2: Wash your hands, then cut a strip of bacon roughly in half, wrap it twice or three times around each date, and insert a toothpick. There, you just wrapped a date in bacon. Put it on the baking sheet and continue.
Step 3: Continue wrapping dates in bacon until you’ve reached the quantity desired. Be sure to wash your hands, utensils and anything else the raw bacon has touched when you are finished.
Step 4: Put the tray of bacon-wrapped dates in the preheated 350-degree oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
Step 5: When the bacon is cooked, remove the tray, drain the grease (not down the sink!), and let cool for a few minutes before enjoying.
Congratulations: You’ve just made bacon-wrapped dates. Serve these at your next party or as a snack anytime, and be prepared for a taste explosion in your mouth.
Have your own tips or questions about bacon-wrapped anything? Comment below!
Source: iwanttocook.com (defunct blog)
