Bacon Wrapped Dates

This is why I haven't posted anything in the last week:

1. My Cousin Tena flew in from Canada on her way to Florida and we spent 20 glorious layover hours together.
2. I'm still trying to find all the stuff that I stashed off the kitchen counters in an attempt to impress her with my fabulous housekeeping.
3. The kids were off of school on Monday.
4. My husband went out of town on Tuesday.
5. I've spent approximately 27 hours in the car trying to single handedly shuttle four kids to 198 different activities this week.
6. We're re-siding our house.
7. I have a 20 yard bright orange dumpster in my driveway.
8. I have made multiple trips to the paint store and have thus far bought six different quarts of sample paint trying to determine the new right shade of brown for our shutters.
9. I'm attempting to purge our basement in time for the upcoming school garage sale.
10. I'm not very good at purging.
11. I am really good at getting sidetracked when I find old pictures of my sweet little children who are growing up much too fast.  I completely lose momentum when I see those chubby little cheeks.  I smile.  I cry.  I'm forced to take a Diet Coke break.  But enough about my sentimental woes.......

Let me tell you about something amazing!  When my cousin was here, I took her to my favorite Greek-Italian restaurant, Sugo's. We snuck in just minutes before 11PM on Saturday and I begged and pleaded with them to serve us their amazing Bacon Wrapped Dates. Sugo's Bacon Wrapped Dates are so incredible that, on Sunday, we decided to forego sightseeing and spent the afternoon recreating them.

To make our version, start with the biggest, plumpest, juiciest pitted dates you can find.  

Slice a pecan in half and insert it into the pit hole.

Take 1/3 of a slice of fairly thick bacon and wrap it around the date.  

Make a lot of them.  You'll thank me later.

Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Pour some maple syrup into a small bowl.

Brush maple syrup over the bacon.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 - 20 minutes, or until bacon is crispy.

Halfway through the baking time, feel free to brush with more maple syrup.

Serve with Balsamic Glaze.

Sweet and Salty. Crunchy and Chewy.

Savory Candy Bites that melt in your mouth and linger on your tongue.

Thanks for visiting, cousin!

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Ingredients:

Large, fresh, pitted dates

Thick-sliced bacon

Pecans

Maple Syrup

Balsamic Glaze

Directions:

Slice Pecans in half, lengthwise.  Insert Pecan half into date.  Wrap 1/3 slice bacon around date.  Place on parchment lined baking sheet.  Brush bacon with maple syrup.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes or until bacon is crispy.  If desired, brush with more maple syrup half-way through baking.  Serve with Balsamic Glaze.


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