Description
Medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese and wrapped in crispy prosciutto create an elegant Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. Guests will savor these luxurious bites that blend salty, sweet, and rich flavors in one irresistible package.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (12 ounces / 340 grams) package pitted Medjool dates
- 1 (4 ounces / 113 grams) log goat cheese, softened to room temperature
- ⅓ cup very finely chopped walnuts
Herbs and Spices:
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Citrus and Oil:
- 1 teaspoon orange zest plus 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice (from 1 navel orange)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Garnish:
- Drizzle of hot honey (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and lightly grease a baking vessel to prepare for the roasting process.
- With a precision knife, delicately split the Medjool dates lengthwise without completely separating them, creating a gentle pocket for filling.
- Carefully nestle soft goat cheese into the center of each date, ensuring a smooth and creamy interior.
- Arrange the cheese-filled dates in a single layer within the prepared baking dish, positioning them with care for uniform roasting.
- Create a fragrant walnut topping by blending chopped walnuts, finely minced rosemary, vibrant orange zest, tangy orange juice, warm ground cinnamon, delicate sea salt, and rich olive oil in a mixing bowl.
- Lavishly distribute the aromatic walnut mixture over the stuffed dates, coating each morsel generously with the flavorful blend.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the dates to warm through while the topping turns golden and releases its enticing aroma.
- Remove from the oven and let the roasted dates rest for 5 minutes to settle their flavors.
- Transfer the dates to an elegant serving platter and, for an optional luxurious touch, drizzle with spicy-sweet hot honey to elevate the dish’s complexity.
Notes
- Dates transform from simple fruits to luxurious appetizers through careful stuffing and roasting techniques.
- Minimal ingredients deliver maximum flavor, creating an elegant party bite that impresses guests with minimal kitchen effort.
- Unexpected flavor combinations like goat cheese, rosemary, and orange zest elevate these bite-sized treats from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 6 mg