Prosciutto Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese and Basil

This is a perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer to serve alongside an excellent bottle of red wine. A rich, savory flavor results from pairing the saltiness of the prosciutto with the sweet date, and the creaminess of goat cheese with the fragrant crunch of fresh basil.  

I have been craving an excuse to pick up fresh dates after coming across this incredible recipe for Cocoa-Chia Date Bites on The Fresh Find. This fantastic food blog brimming with healthy recipes and drool-worthy food photos was created by my inspiring, passion-seeking, optimist of a friend, Kristin.

The best part of this appetizer was that the prep took nearly no time at all. I whipped this up right before a Memorial Day barbecue. In just 3 short minutes, these were out of the oven with the goat cheese warm and bubbling.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Serves: 6-9

Ingredients

16 Medjool dates, pitted

1/2 log goat cheese

16 fresh basil leaves

4 wide, thin slices of Prosciutto, cut into 4 long strips

16 toothpicks

Preparation

Spoon 1 teaspoon of goat cheese into each date.

Wrap each date with a basil leaf, then with the thin strip of prosciutto. Secure with toothpick.

With the oven set to broil, place wrapped dates on a cookie sheet and broil for 3 minutes until cheese is warm and bubbly.