These cheese-filled dates make a piquant addition to a cheese platter. The recipe is simple – about 10 minutes of preparation and another 12 minutes in the oven. Additionally, you can prepare the dates up to 24 hours in advance and have them ready to pop in the oven just as your guests arrive. Pair them with a tray of small glasses and a bottle of arak for a unique party experience. On the family side, this is an indulgent snack for hungry people of all ages, especially those who have to wait for dinner. Serve them with a small glass of buttermilk or refreshing aryan for a healthy and satisfying pre-dinner option.
It’s easy to understand why dates are loved throughout Arabic culture. Dates have been claimed to have 360 uses, including as house construction material, fences, and irrigation pipes. They have also been considered medicinal. And of course, when it comes to food, there are countless ways to enjoy dates, from date syrup to filling for cookies, and even as an aphrodisiac. To ensure happy nights, forget the blue pill and indulge in some dates. A little poetry on the side won’t hurt, either.
Dates Baked With Goat Cheese and Walnuts
An easy and unusual way to serve dates, as an appetizer or snack.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fine dried bread crumbs
- 24 Medjool dates
- 125 grams – 1/4 lb. soft goat cheese
- 12 walnuts
-
Preheat oven to 375°F. – 180 °C
-
Line a shallow baking sheet with baking parchment, or lightly oil it.
-
Warm the olive oil in a skillet, over medium heat. Stir in the bread crumbs and continue stirring until the bread crumbs are golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Spoon the browned crumbs onto a plate and allow to cool.
-
Make a small lengthwise incision in each date. Carefully remove the pits. Stuff 1 tsp. of the goat cheese into each pit-free date. Place the dates, cheese side up, in a single layer on the baking sheet.
-
Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top. (The dates can be prepared up to this point up to 24 hours in advance. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator.)
-
Bake the dates until warmed through, 10 to 12 minutes.
-
In the meantime, chop each walnut in half.
-
When the dates are warm and the cheese melting, press half a walnut onto the cheese.
-
Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm.
Comments
