A Hot Date

I'm hosting a little cocktail party tonight, and I'm psyched that it gives me an excuse to make these insanely delicious bacon-wrapped dates. They might not look that appetizing, but they are the most incredible combination of salty, sweet, chewy, crunchy, and well, bacon. They are sort of like a classier "pig in the blanket", only with this, the pig is the blanket. Sounds good, huh? They are great as a finger-foody hors d'oeuvre, or drizzle them with honey and serve them as a first course at the sit-down dinner. Oh, and also, they are the easiest thing to make- I don't know what's quicker- how long it takes to make them, or how long it will take your guests to snarf them down.




Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Here's what you need (makes 24):
24 pitted dates
24 whole blanched almonds
8 slices of bacon

Here's what you do:
Put the oven rack as high as it goes (like, 4 inches from the broiler), and heat broiler. Stuff each date with an almond. Slice the bacon strips into thirds (widthwise), and wrap a piece around each date. Place seam-side down on a baking sheet and put under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, until top is crispy. Turn and cook until bacon is crispy all over (another 3-5 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel to drain, and then serve. Piggylicious.