Devils on Horseback

24 large dates, pitted
12 slices bacon, halved crosswise
1/3 cup crumbled Stilton cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place 24 toothpicks in a small bowl filled with water; let soak 15 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and fit with a wire rack; set aside.

Halve dates lengthwise being careful not to cut all the way through. Place a small amount of cheese in the center of each date. Wrap a piece of bacon around each date. Secure bacon with a toothpick.

Place dates on prepared baking sheet. Bake until bacon is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

Note: Try precooking the bacon and baking for only 10 minutes so the cheese stays inside the dates.  At 20 minutes cooking, the cheese melts out and sticks to the pan.

Serves: 6

Source: The Martha Stewart Show, February Winter 2007

Prepared by: Margo for the October 2013 meeting.