Bacon-Wrapped Roasted Medjool Dates. With song pairing.

Good reaction to last week’s post, bacon fat moves the collective soul.  So let’s reprise.  How about an appie this time …   But something on the DL, a little odd, a tad askew.  Is it an appie?  Or a dessert?  Sweet?  Savory?  Let’s mix it up.   Let’s wrap bacon around Medjool dates and roast them.  Nice.

The Prep:

• Slice slab bacon thin, and then halve each slice.
• Roast bacon at 375° until fat starts to render, but before they crisp up.
• Pit Medjool dates, cut in half.
• Wrap bacon slices around dates, spike with a toothpick.
• Back in the oven until dates heat and bacon starts to hug the date.
• Evacuate, drain on rack.  Serve warm.

The Dilemma:

I’m conflicted about this one.  The flavors really work.  But it’s tough to restrain yourself and serve a dish with only two ingredients.   There’s more I want to do here (Stuff with an almond, or maybe bleu cheese? Drizzle with balsamic glaze, or a port-wine reduction?).  But I’m trying to leave it alone.   Trying.

The Best Way to Eat These:

• Download Boston’s Foreplay/Longtime to your Ipod.
• Press play after removing bacon dates from the oven, turn volume up.
• Let dates cool for a couple minutes.
• At exactly 2 minutes and 20 seconds into the song:  Raise one up.
• 2:22: Blow gently to cool.
• 2:26: Slowly to your lips, and all in.
• 2:30: Yes. You have arrived.