Expert: Suzette - 1/6/2002

Question
Hi Suzette,
Have you heard of an appetizer made with dates stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon?  
I am looking for the recipe.
Thanks for your help.
Kathleen
thetillwoman@aol.com

Answer
Yes I have Kathleen! It's called Rumaki. Here's my recipe (which has a few more ingredients):

Date and Chorizo Rumaki
Makes: 32 pieces, 16 appetizer servings
16 slices thin-cut bacon (about 3/4 lb.)
1/2 pound raw chorizo sausage
1/4 pound (1/3 cup) cream cheese
32 whole dates, pitted
3 T. chopped fresh cilantro
Arrange bacon slices in a single layer in a 10x15" pan.
Bake in a 350F oven for 5 minutes.

Discard fat and blot bacon with paper towels.

Remove chorizo from casing and crumble into an 8x10" frying pan.

Stir often over medium-high heat until meat is lightly browned, about 7 minutes.

Let drain in a fine strainer to remove the fat.

Mix chorizo with cream cheese.

Cut halfway through dates on 1 side to make a pocket in each.

Fill dates equally with the cheese mixture.

Cut bacon slices in half.

Wrap each date with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.

Place dates on a rack in the 10x15" pan.

Bake in a 350F oven until bacon is brown and crisp, 25-30 minutes.

Sprinkle with cilantro.

Serve hot.


Hope this helps!

Suzette