Devils on Horseback and Eddie Izzard (with recipe)

The Boy and I are big fans of Comedian Eddie Izzard. We can quote whole sections of his comedy routines. Little key phrases pepper conversations: "Cake or death... But do you have a flag?... I've got bread."

Last weekend, we saw him in live performance for the second time. We made a whole night of it. We met at a fancy tapas restaurant and had a fabulous meal. I love to go out to eat nice food. The tapas were superb. We had Japanese ceviche, crab fritters, stuffed dates, braised porkbelly, and roasted beets. And I had a citrus and spice cocktail. Lovely. Just the kind of fancy dinner I enjoy.

So the stuffed dates got me wanting to try them at home. They are really simple. Three little ingredients. It's one of those beginning cook recipes anyone could make. But of course, it took a high-end tapas bar to inspire me into action.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates (a.k.a. Devils on Horseback)

INGREDIENTS

8 Medjool dates

1-2 oz goat cheese

4 slices of bacon (I used thick sliced)

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil.

2) Slice open the dates. Remove the pits. Stuff each date with goat cheese enough so it can be folded back closed.

3) Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon. 

4) Poke a toothpick through each one to hold it closed. Arrange on a foil lined baking sheet.

5) Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until the bacon is cooked and crispy. Let cool for 10-15 minutes so as not to burn your mouth. Sever.

Oh and can't forget... Eddie Izzard was hilarious.