The Simple Foodie:: September 2011

The Simple Foodie

I'm a lover of food, especially sugar. I'm a fitness fanatic, runner, Fitness/Bikini Competition competitor. I love welcoming friends and family into my home and entertaining. Obviously, I believe in balance and all good things in moderation! So, after compliments on my easy-elegance entertaining style and many questions along the lines of 'how did you make that?', I've decided to create a blog for my simple creations for snacks and appetizers (that's right, not giving away all of my baking recipes here). Yes, I'm a blogger now!

Any of my friends will tell you that I enjoy being 'hostess with the mostess.' My style of entertaining is that of simple elegance; meaning, few and simple ingredients and low-fuss preparation that results in an impressive presentation. Baking is my true love, but cooking, especially appetizers, is also a fun activity for me. Because I enjoy healthy food and tasting the actual ingredients, I prepare simple dishes with fewer ingredients and more importantly, fewer steps. The result: quick, yet impressive presentations and dishes that are seasonal, flavorful and easy.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Gorgonzola stuffed dates wrapped in bacon and drizzled with honey

Here's one of my 'go-to' recipes when I know that I need a sure hit! These 'Gorgonzola stuffed dates wrapped in bacon and drizzled with honey' may have quite a long name, but that pretty much sums up the ingredients and the steps. I made these yesterday for a glorified cookout and ended up winning a prize for them!

24 fresh medjool dates (pitted and slit open)
Gorgonzola cheese, 2 ounces is more than enough for a batch this size
maple flavored bacon, cut each strip into thirds

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray baking sheet with Pam olive oil.

Slice open each date just enough to remove the pit. With a knife, stuff each date with just enough cheese to fill it and then gently press to close using your fingers. Wrap each stuffed date in a piece of cut bacon, with the seam side of the bacon on the bottom and the sliced opening of the date facing up. Place onto baking sheet. Once all are prepped and on baking sheet, drizzle honey over each one.

Bake for about 40 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Let cool 10 - 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!