There's something about salty-sweet treats that we find irresistible (and we know we're not alone). Here, as the dates bake they get deliciously sweet and caramely. And the salty part? That comes from the crispy pancetta-and the warm cheese.
Ingredients
Makes 20
Step 1
Cut small slice off 1 short end of each date and discard. Using tweezers or needle-nose pliers, carefully remove pits from dates through small opening; discard pits. Place 1 mint leaf across opening of 1 date, covering cavity. Using 1 cheese strip, push mint leaf and cheese into date cavity. Using fingers, pinch date opening closed. Repeat with remaining dates, mint leaves, and cheese strips. Wrap 3 pancetta slices securely around each date, enclosing date completely. Place pancetta-wrapped dates on baking sheet, spacing slightly apart. DO AHEAD:Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
Step 2
预热烤箱至375°F。烘焙日期之前发现了pancetta is crisp and bottoms of dates caramelize, about 30 minutes. Using tongs, transfer dates to platter and serve warm.
Step 3
- A Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk; sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.
Nutrition Per Serving
How would you rate Pancetta-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Manchego Cheese and Mint?
Leave a Review
Reviews (17)
Back to TopI made this a couple of times. While they are good, you can only eat a couple of them because the dates are so cloyingly sweet - despite the salty addition of the pancetta.
cindicb1
Pawling, NY
4/6/2014
I used the concept but changed a lot: Used thin bacon, asiago cheese (both are more readily available and less expensive),and no mint (like many here). Loved the sweet, salty, caramelized flavor. Like others here we took the pit out by slicing the length of the date. Rewrote the recipe for our own use with much simplified instructions.
LILeonore
Culpeper, VA
3/3/2014
One more thing-- I reduced the pancetta to 2/3 what the recipe called for (because its expensive!) and it was totally fine--wouldn't even know it was missing.
bbeers
Seattle, WA
12/30/2013
Delicious! These are a decadent indulgence that everyone appreciates. I omitted the mint, as I just did not see the purpose/ fit with the dish. Very easy-- don't know why the recipe complicates the steps by spelling them out like we are all a bunch of dummies! Will definitely make this crowd pleaser again!
bbeers
Seattle, WA
12/30/2013
I love this recipe. It's so easy to throw together making it an easy (though kinda expensive) bring along item that everyone loves. I did not use mint because I really dislike it but they tasted great without. Also just a little tip: It's easier to pit the dates when they are at room temperature. I made them twice and put the other half bag of dates in the fridge once opened. It was crazy difficult to get the pits out of those sticky little guys once they'd been refrigerated
CleverChica
Vancouver, BC Canada
7/21/2013
I've been making variations on stuffed dates for years, and they're always a big hit. I haven't made them yet with mint, but I'm thinking that might counter the unctuous richness of the date and bacon. The recipe instructions here make a complex operation out of something so simple. No need to cut the tips off and use tweezers to surgically remove the pits! Slice down the length, pop the pit out, stuff with the cheese and whatever else is going in. Wrap it and you're done! After all, the date is wrapped and the "seam" will never be seen. And the 30 minute baking time is really long. The bacon will get very crisp and the date will get so gooey it's almost jam-like.
Nanette90278
Los Angeles
7/3/2013
听起来比它尝起来更好。不坏但不是磨破th the expense.
mebecker
12/21/2011
oddly enough, i did not like these very much. it's hard to believe considering how much i like all of the ingredients... it was all just way too sweet and rich for me, i think. although i love the idea of something wrapped in pancetta, i think it needs to be something lighter, like for instance a scallop...
Anonymous
portland, or
4/8/2011
These are wonderful - sweet and savory. I made these for superbowl last year and doing it again this year. These are super wonderful with a glass of white wine, or even a sparkling white wine.
FoodiQ
MT
1/8/2011
This is such a flavorful and easy appitizer, plus it was a huge hit with friends & family at Easter. I did not bother with pliers--just cut the date open--after it's stuffed the date is sticky so it closes up neat and the pancetta covers and holds it together. I didn't have the chance to go to a speciality store for the Manchego so I used Asiago and pancetta from the deli sliced very thin. (Tried prociutto, too out of curiosity-terrible! Stringy and way too salty! so you have to use thin pancetta) Also, in the end left out the mint and used it as garnish--I just loved the salty/sweet contrast of the date and pancetta on their own.
Calcooks2
Arlington, MA
12/31/2010
Nice combo with the dates and the Manchego Cheese. The mint give's a nice freshness. Love it. @darien i give you a good advise, cooking is not only following a recipe, if you don't know a product..make research about it. Just use www.google.com or any other search engine which you like and read!!! Maybe you should think twice when you write a review about something. It might not be your taste, so don't put this down like this, ok?
Chef_Radi
Xi'An, China
12/27/2010
Delicious! Just made these for the third time the other day. I just adore the melding of flavors; the coolness of the mint in contrast to the nutty taste of the cheese, and the crisp, saltiness of the pancetta in contrast to the smoothness of the caramelized dates. Did I mention delicious? I never make the full recipe for fear I'll just eat them all myself!
deliusfan
Sarasota, FL
10/26/2010
My guests loved these! No leftovers. I was expecting a little more taste contribution from the cheese and mint, but will definitely make them again.
EphrataSL
Long Island
2/9/2010
LIKE THE PREVIOUS ENTRY pANCETTA CAN BE SLICED VERY THIN. i HAVE DONE THIS MANY TIMES. I deseed. Stuff with a cheese of sort and wrap with the pancetta very thin and bake. It is well received and can be done ahead of time as it goes well at room temp. Be creative and see what happens
christiet
cook from Kenmore Wash
2/4/2010
Your butcher will slice the pancetta paper thin if you ask which will make it easy to roll the date in.
FishersCook
2/3/2010
