Blue Cheese and Pecan Stuffed Dates
Appetizer
Ingredients
4 slices bacon
1/2 small red onion chopped
3 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
2 1/2 ounces Neufchâtel cheese
1/2 cup chopped pecans divided
24 pitted dates
Description
To ease the party rush, make the filling for these dates a few days in advance, keeping in mind that the flavor will get stronger over time. For a vegetarian version omit the bacon and sauté the onions in olive oil instead.
Directions
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp.
Transfer to drain on paper towels, reserving 1/2 teaspoon bacon grease in skillet.
Add onion and cook over medium heat until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add orange juice and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until liquid is evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes more.
Transfer onion to a medium bowl and let cool.
Crumble bacon into the onions.
Add cheeses and half of the pecans. Stir well to combine.
Stuff each date with a heaping teaspoon of the mixture and top with remaining pecans.
Nutrition
PER SERVING:Serving size: 1 each, 80 calories (45 from fat), 5g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 5mg cholesterol, 80mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g dietary fiber, 6g sugar), 2g protein