Chorizo Stuffed Dates Wrapped with Bacon

This is an easy and delicious appetizer. The salty bacon coupled with the spicy chorizo and sweet dates all combine to get the attention of your guests’ palates. Pair with a rich white wine such as a buttery, oaky Chardonnay or a spicy Zin or Syrah.

For 24 dates:
•1/2 lb (around 3 links) best chorizo you can find from a good butcher, not smoked, casings removed and crumbled up in bowl
•24 Medjool dates, carefully cut a slit down the down date, remove pit, create a pocket.
•12 slices apple wood smoked bacon, cut in half crosswise
•24 toothpicks, soaked in water for 15 minutes

Take a 1/2 tbs of chorizo and stuff each date, wrap with piece of bacon, and secure it with a toothpick.

The dates can be cooked on a gas grill, charcoal grill, in a fry pan, or in the broiler of your oven. I like the Weber charcoal grill (as you all know). If cooking on a gas grill, use medium heat..over charcoal, make sure coals are in one even layer…in broiler, place 4 inches below element…in fry pan, medium high heat. Grill, fry, or broil until bacon starts to get crisp, around 3 to 4 minutes. Turn dates over and cook another 2 minutes.