Gourmet Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
This gourmet tapas recipe combines the rich flavors of applewood smoked bacon with the natural sweetness of pitted dates, all enhanced by a creamy roasted red pepper sauce. Inspired by a memorable first date, this dish encapsulates the essence of savory and sweet flavors in every bite. Perfect for entertaining, these delights can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to impress your guests without the last-minute rush. The roasted red bell pepper sauce elevates the dish, adding a vibrant color and flavor that truly makes this dish stand out. Enjoy the nostalgic flavors that bring back wonderful memories while creating new ones with each delicious bite.
N/A
Servings
83
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
1 lb (uncooked, applewood preferred)
Pitted dates
8 ounces (choose larger dates for best results)
Garlic
1-2 cloves (leave unpeeled for roasting)
Red bell pepper
1/2 large (seeded and quartered)
Yellow onion
1/2 medium (quartered)
Half-and-half cream
1/4 cup (adjust as necessary for desired creaminess)
Extra virgin olive oil
1-2 tablespoons (for flavoring vegetables and sauce)
Salt
to taste (use as needed for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Soak round toothpicks in water for at least 15 minutes to prevent them from burning during baking.
3
To prepare the roasted red pepper sauce, first, place the unpeeled garlic cloves on a baking dish and bake them for 15 minutes.
4
Rub the red bell pepper and quartered onion with extra virgin olive oil to ensure even roasting.
5
After the garlic has roasted for 15 minutes, add the red bell pepper and onion to the baking sheet. Roast for an additional 15 minutes or until they are tender and nicely charred. Keep a close eye on them, as roasting times may vary.
6
Once the vegetables are roasted, squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins into a blender along with the roasted onion and red bell pepper. Blend until smooth, gradually adding extra olive oil until the mixture is well blended.
7
Add salt to taste, then slowly pour in the half-and-half while blending until you achieve a creamy consistency. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for later use. Remember to warm it in the microwave before serving if prepared in advance.
8
For the bacon-wrapped dates, cut each bacon strip in half, creating approximately 3-inch pieces.
9
Microwave the bacon slices for about 2 minutes to soften.
10
Wrap each date with a half strip of the bacon, securing it with a soaked toothpick.
11
Lightly spray a four-sided cookie sheet with nonstick spray and place the bacon-wrapped dates on it. Alternatively, use a mini muffin pan to suspend the dates, allowing excess fat to drip away.
12
Bake the dates for approximately 15 minutes, turning them halfway through for even crispness. Continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown, keeping a watchful eye as baking times may vary.
13
Serve the bacon-wrapped dates alongside or drizzled with the roasted red pepper sauce for a stunning presentation.
Nutrition Information
6.7g
Fat
5g
Carbs
2.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of the Gourmet Bacon-Wrapped Dates?
The dish combines the savory flavor of applewood smoked bacon with the natural sweetness of pitted dates, complemented by a creamy roasted red pepper sauce.
What temperature should I set my oven to for this recipe?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) for baking the bacon-wrapped dates and roasting the vegetables.
How do I prevent the toothpicks from burning in the oven?
Soak round toothpicks in water for at least 15 minutes before use to prevent them from burning during the baking process.
How long should the garlic be roasted for the sauce?
The garlic cloves should be roasted for a total of 30 minutes; start them 15 minutes before adding the other vegetables.
How are the red bell pepper and onion prepared for roasting?
Rub the red bell pepper and quartered onion with extra virgin olive oil to ensure they roast evenly and achieve a nice char.
What is the total roasting time for the pepper and onion?
The pepper and onion should roast for approximately 15 minutes or until they are tender and nicely charred.
How do you extract the roasted garlic for the sauce?
After roasting, simply squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins directly into the blender.
How is the roasted red pepper sauce blended?
Blend the roasted garlic, onion, and red bell pepper until smooth, gradually adding extra virgin olive oil until well blended.
How do I make the roasted red pepper sauce creamy?
While blending the roasted vegetables, slowly pour in 1/4 cup of half-and-half cream until you achieve a creamy consistency.
Can the roasted red pepper sauce be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can store the sauce in the refrigerator. Just remember to warm it in the microwave before serving if prepared ahead of time.
How should the bacon be cut for wrapping the dates?
Cut each bacon strip in half to create approximately 3-inch pieces, which is the ideal size for wrapping a single date.
Why should I microwave the bacon before wrapping the dates?
Microwaving the bacon for about 2 minutes softens the strips, making them much easier to wrap around the dates.
How many dates does this recipe typically use?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of pitted dates; choosing larger dates will provide the best results.
What is a good way to bake the dates to reduce excess fat?
You can use a mini muffin pan to suspend the dates, which allows excess bacon fat to drip away during baking.
What is the total baking time for the bacon-wrapped dates?
Bake the dates for a total of approximately 25 minutes, turning them halfway through for even crispness.
How do I know when the bacon-wrapped dates are done?
The dates are ready when the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
What type of bacon is recommended for this recipe?
Uncooked applewood smoked bacon is preferred for its rich and savory flavor profile.
How many calories are in a serving of these dates?
Each piece contains approximately 83 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are approximately 6.7 grams of fat per serving.
What are the carbohydrate and protein counts for this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 5 grams of carbohydrates and 2.3 grams of protein.
What type of onion is best for the sauce?
A medium yellow onion is used; you will need half of it, quartered for roasting.
Is this recipe considered a Mediterranean dish?
Yes, it is tagged as Mediterranean and is a classic gourmet tapas-style appetizer.
Can I use different types of dates?
Pitted dates are required, and larger varieties are recommended to hold the bacon wrap effectively.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe consists of 8 main ingredients: bacon, pitted dates, garlic, red bell pepper, yellow onion, half-and-half, olive oil, and salt.
What is the best way to serve this appetizer?
Serve the bacon-wrapped dates alongside the roasted red pepper sauce or drizzled with it for a professional presentation.
Is this recipe suitable for making ahead of time?
Yes, it is a great make-ahead dish for parties, allowing you to prepare the components before your guests arrive.
What kind of oil should be used for the sauce?
Extra virgin olive oil is used for both roasting the vegetables and flavoring the sauce.
Should the red bell pepper be seeded before roasting?
Yes, the red bell pepper should be seeded and quartered before you rub it with oil and roast it.
Does this recipe include any fiber or sugar data?
Fiber and sugar data are not specified in the nutritional information provided for this recipe.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This gourmet tapas recipe was inspired by the nostalgic savory and sweet flavors of a memorable first date.