Cheese And Date Pairing: A Match Made In Heaven

Dates are a versatile fruit with a caramel-like taste and texture. They can be used in a variety of recipes, both sweet and savoury, and pair well with a range of cheeses. Some popular cheese and date combinations include dates stuffed with goat's cheese, blue cheese, feta, or ricotta. Dates also go well with salty foods like bacon and prosciutto, and sweet treats like chocolate, marzipan, and nut butter.

Goat's cheese-stuffed dates

Ingredients

• Medjool dates
• Goat's cheese
• Pine nuts
• Flaky sea salt
• Ground black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil

Optional Toppings

• Walnuts
• Honey
• Basil
• Balsamic glaze
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Feta
• Peanut butter
• Chocolate chips

Method

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Slice the dates lengthwise on one side and remove the pits.
• Stuff each date with a small spoonful of goat's cheese.
• Place the dates on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cut side up, and bake for 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts in a small pan over medium heat for around 5 minutes, keeping a careful eye on them to ensure they don't burn.
• Remove the dates from the oven and drizzle with olive oil.
• Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts, salt, and pepper over the dates.

Tips

If you're making these in advance, you can prep and stuff the dates up to three days ahead of time. Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge or on a tray sealed with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.

Variations

For a different take on this appetiser, you can substitute the goat's cheese with another soft cheese, such as cream cheese, blue cheese, or feta. You can also experiment with different toppings, such as walnuts, honey, basil, balsamic glaze, sun-dried tomatoes, peanut butter, or chocolate chips.

Get creative and enjoy the delicious combination of sweet dates and salty cheese!

Dates and dark chocolate

There are endless ways to enjoy this combination. For a simple approach, stuff pitted Medjool dates with small pieces of good-quality, slightly bitter dark chocolate. You can also melt dark chocolate and dip the pitted dates in it, then sprinkle on some crushed almonds or pistachios before chilling them in the fridge or freezer. This gives you a sweet treat with a crunchy surprise.

If you're feeling creative, you can make chocolate-covered date bars. Simply pulse together nuts and pitted Medjool dates in a food processor, press the mixture into a pan, cover it with melted dark chocolate, and chill until set. This creates a soft, sweet, and nutty treat with a dark chocolate topping.

For a more elaborate presentation, you can make chocolate-covered dates. Start by removing the pits from Medjool dates. Then, melt dark chocolate and dip the dates in it, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the chocolate-covered dates on a plate and sprinkle on toppings like freshly grated orange zest, finely chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or flaky sea salt. Chill them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Dates and prosciutto

This pairing is a great appetiser or snack and is extremely simple to make. To make, simply wrap pitted dates in prosciutto and serve. A chilled glass of white wine is a nice addition to this combination.

For an extra special treat, stuff the dates with a soft cheese of your choice before wrapping in prosciutto. Goat's cheese is a great option, as its tangy flavour balances out the sweetness of the dates. For something a little milder, choose ricotta, or for a stronger flavour, try blue cheese.

For a real treat, add a drizzle of honey to the stuffed dates before wrapping in prosciutto. This simple addition will create a sweet and salty bite that is hard to beat.

Dates with soft cheese

For a simple option, stuff pitted dates with soft cheese. Good choices of cheese include ricotta for something mild and creamy, goat's cheese for a tangy flavour, or blue cheese for something a little wilder. You could also drizzle the stuffed dates with tahini, or whisk in a little honey or maple syrup and a pinch of salt to make it extra special.

If you want to add some crunch to your dates and soft cheese, you could sprinkle on some toasted pine nuts and a pinch of black pepper, or top with walnuts and a drizzle of honey.

For a heartier snack, wrap your stuffed dates in bacon. This combination is also known as Devils on Horseback and is a classic, addictive finger food. To make, stuff the dates with a soft cheese such as goat's cheese, blue cheese, or feta, and then wrap in thin bacon and secure with a toothpick before baking in the oven.

Whether you keep it simple or go all out, dates with soft cheese are a versatile and tasty treat.

Bacon-wrapped dates

For this recipe, you'll want to use large Medjool dates, which are reliably sweet and plump. Make sure you buy the ones with the pit as they will be fresher and stickier than pitted dates. You'll also need thin, stretchy bacon that can easily wrap around the date.

To make the bacon-wrapped dates, start by cutting a shallow slit in the dates lengthwise and removing the pits. Fill the dates with a creamy, savoury cheese such as goat cheese, blue cheese, or feta. You can use just one type of cheese or a combination of all three! Don't overfill the dates, as you want to be able to gently squeeze them shut.

Next, wrap each date with a half piece of bacon and secure the end with a toothpick. Place the dates on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through. If you prefer your bacon a little crispier, bake for an additional 5 to 8 minutes. Let the dates cool for at least 10 minutes before serving as they will be very hot.

These bacon-wrapped dates are best served warm and are unlikely to leave any leftovers! However, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They can be served cold in a salad or reheated gently in the oven.

You can also get creative and stuff the dates with other ingredients such as pitted Manzanillo olives, nuts (almonds work best due to their size and shape), or other cheeses such as Boursain, Manchego, or Applewood Smoked Cheddar. You can even combine any of these ingredients, such as olives and cheese, for a unique flavour profile.

Frequently asked questions