Bacon-Wrapped Dates, Parmesan Crisps, and Cooking Club #3

Cooking Club #3: Beginnings and Endings. Appetizers and desserts. I can't think of a better way to celebrate my two favorite parts of a meal! And the timing coincided perfectly with the end of the third book from the author who inspired the whole idea for cooking club. So I used her bacon-wrapped dates recipe, along with an easy cheese recipe, and paired it all with fresh strawberries, dried apricots, and garlic-rubbed toasts to top with melting camembert cheese. Easy, cheesy, and pleasing :)

And we had a whole spread: hummus, guacamole, cookies, and cake.

 

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Ingredients

8 oz. pitted dates

4 oz. goat cheese

16 oz. bacon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking dish will foil or parchment paper (for easy cleanup).

2. Slice along the side of each date, from top to bottom.

3. Open gently and scoop a small amount of goat cheese into the center of each.

4. Close back up and set each aside.

5. Cut the entire package of bacon in half.

6. Wrap a half-slice of bacon around each date and set aside.

7. Place seam-side down on the lined baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until well-browned and crispy.

8. Remove from oven and drain on a paper towel-lined dish.

9. Let cool at least until palatable, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Parmesan Crisps

Ingredients

All you need is some freshly grated parmesan...

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Place two tbsp. of cheese per crisp along baking sheet.

4. Smooth down and form into a circle.

5. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until golden.

6. Remove from oven and let cool...they'll crisp up quickly.