Holiday Tasting Party Recipes

RECIPE NAME: CHEESE STUFFED DATES WITH PROSCIUTTO

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup (2 ozs.) goat cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup (2 ozs.) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 Medjool dates (12 ozs.) pitted
8 thin slices prosciutto, halved lengthwise

HOW TO MAKE THIS:
Special equipment: 16 toothpicks or cocktail picks

In a small bowl, mix together the cheeses and basil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Gently pull the dates apart and stuff with about 1/2 tsp. of the cheese mixture. Close the dates around the filling. Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each date and secure with a toothpick.

Optional: You can saute them to get a nice carmelization on the prosciutto. You can also add lemon zest to the cheese mixture or serve with a drizzle of balsamic.

Arrange the stuffed dates on a platter and serve.

MY NAME: Laura Staples