Post
OK, so I left off yesterday with holiday waistline concerns. So I tore out a delicious-looking – but light and nutritious – recipe from the December ’07 issue of Self magazine, Dates wtih Goat Cheese Wrapped in Prosciutto, fun for a cocktail party, I think. I’m a big fan of savory-date tasties – the date-sausage tapa at Solera is deadly – and this one looks easy, gorgeous, and fabulous as well, hitting on all the right levels : creamy, sweet, salty, chewy, rarrr… Check it out, let me know what you think. (Recipe posted in comments, below.)
I say check it out because I’m not actually doing much hosting this holiday season (although yes, I’m clearly doing plenty of celebrating, ha, in fact I’m out the door again tonight, but more on that later). Or nothing huge anyhow. Christmas Eve for just a few of us, a holiday brunch for a few girlfriends, that’s about it. Mellow. Nice. For some reason this has been one of the most enjoyable, festive-yet-relaxing Christmas seasons – probably because I got organized earlier than usual, spread out the wrapping and shopping and decorating… I, uh, tend to put things off a bit. Right.
NOTE: after making these, I found a tastier ratio to be 1/2 date each, filled with cheese and wrapped in basil and prosciutto as originally directed.
Also, I found the toothpicks unnecessary.
Stephanie
Dates with Goat Cheese Wrapped in Prosciutto
From Self Magazine, December 2007
Serves 8 (2 each)
1/3 c. soft herbed goat cheese
16 Medjool dates, pitted
16 large basil leaves
4 wide, thin slices prosciutto de Parma, each cut into 4 long strips
16 toothpicks, soaked in water 10 minutes
Heat broiler to low. Spoon 1 tsp. cheese into each date; wrap with a basil leaf, then a prosciutto strip. Secure with a toothpick. Broil until cheese bubbles, about 3 minutes. Serve warm.
187 calories per 2 dates
(Stephanie’s note: these could definitely be prepared ahead and chilled. I’d bring to room temp an hour or so before heating so that the centers would warm through.)