Pellet Fan

Here's How I.... => Cook Everything Else (Pizza, Appetizers, Desserts, etc) => Topic started by: ZCZ on October 17, 2017, 10:08:35 PM

Title: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: ZCZ on October 17, 2017, 10:08:35 PM
Recent Fall scene on a lake in northern MN

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Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: ZCZ on October 17, 2017, 10:18:30 PM
Say what?  Bacon wrapped dates?  With a maple syrup/balsamic vinegar glaze I might add. As most Pellet Fan participants know bacon-wrapped-anything is usually pretty good. Had not made these in quite a while and they make an excellent appetizer.
 
Start with the large Medjool dates (got these at Costco). Cut off the tip of the stem end the cut open.   Remove the pit and replace with an almond (or sour cream, or ?)

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Cut bacon strips in half and wrap around the date & hold in place with a toothpick

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Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: ZCZ on October 17, 2017, 10:25:16 PM
Combine equal portions of maple syrup and balsamic vinegar (I used 3/4 cup of both but 1/2 cup of each would have sufficed).  Place in a small saucepan and bring to a boil then let simmer, stirring as you go.

Simmering

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Simmer for roughly 20 minutes until it looks like this.

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About half way thru this process pre-heat the grill to 425°.
Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: ZCZ on October 17, 2017, 10:33:04 PM
Grill bacon wrapped dates at 425° for 15-18 minutes or until bacon is crispy, turning them over at the half way point. Here we are ready to come off the grill

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Remove dates and paint each one thoroughly with the glaze using a brush (or dip if deep enough).  If your glaze is too thick you can gently reheat for a more favorable viscosity. Put dates back on the grill to set the glaze, just a minute or two/three.

Final result

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There were 18 total. Three each for each guest.  They were gone in a flash. You won’t go wrong with these.
Thanks for watching!
Z
Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: DaisyCutter on October 17, 2017, 10:35:11 PM
My wife made something similar, minus the maple/balsamic. She stuffed them with blue cheese. They were great. We'll have to try this one out!
Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: Bentley on October 17, 2017, 10:38:56 PM
Deviled Ham & Pepper Jack Cheese!  Devils on Horseback!

Remove the pit and replace with an almond (or sour cream, or ?)

(http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n90/lwnna/Appetizers/IMG_0048.jpg)
(http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n90/lwnna/Appetizers/IMG_0049.jpg)
(http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n90/lwnna/Appetizers/IMG_0051.jpg)
Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: cookingjnj on October 17, 2017, 11:56:14 PM
Hey Z ... first off, the pictures from the lake are awesome.  If the pic is from this year, you guys are not much ahead of us out on the east coast with fall, but we are catching up....for some that is good... others????  You and Bentley have now added to the increasing list of morsels to try and replicate on my cooker.  Love the creative ideas with the dates!  Thanks fellas.
Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: Kristin Meredith on October 18, 2017, 08:10:42 AM
Great dish Al, thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: Free Mr. Tony on October 18, 2017, 09:14:58 AM
Looks great. Always wanted to try those, but never have. Love dates.
Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: TLK on October 18, 2017, 10:28:44 AM
agreed- those look really good!  Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: pmillen on October 18, 2017, 10:48:10 AM
That looks amazing, ZCZ.  It hit my sweet spot.

BTW–
(https://ke2rug-ch3301.files.1drv.com/y4mwDG3iWqQ7vm6KW8TpMJG2yWahLCBmoV-nwltgQpLmr7kc4GRldy_Ky54syhPzo4N2A9xlSwYy3BjuTZOqIgAwT5FmubRKeIHwP2D8TrTNHNM4t48pUT4FR1fBkux_aEk4ZV8uqZ6hq9QUWuK3GDAEbaG4rEm7hORn4S4JUoSUpQSOjqde05aI35kQvw6Ce44JpH74NUW_2L6GjRI-hC6Kg?width=256&height=195&cropmode=none)
The walleyes would wait for the Fall frog migration and gorge on them when Lake Lizzie looked like that.  I could fill the boat by fishing frogs or frog-like lures near the surface in less than 10' of water.  Quieter was better.
Title: Re: Bacon Wrapped Dates
Post by: dk117 on October 18, 2017, 04:31:48 PM
great thread.   I usually bring bacon wrapped dates to holiday parties where I'm not the host.  I purchase pitted dates.   Wrap in half a length of thick cut bacon.  That's it.  I take a little time cooking them, probably two hours.    No filling no rub no glaze.  The rendering of the bacon and the dates themselves are enough for me.

I'll get a picture next batch.

DK