Our wine club is finally getting together in person.  As usual there is a them that no one knows what it is and they bring whatever.  A few years back I headed an effort for the opera to produce a cookbook.  The appetizers in this book are all outstanding.  I chose a filled dat by a friend and neighbor, Audrey Jones.  They were good and Jim heard people commenting on them.  they were for me easier than the usual way I make the with the bacon the outside.  

Ingredients:

6 slices bacon

1/2 C manchego or Parmesan cheese (2 oz.)finely shredded

1/2 C whole almonds or Pecan halves, toasted and chopped

24 +/- unfitted whole Medjool Dates (I filled about 27-28)

3 T honey

1 t snipped Fresh Thyme

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.  remove bacon and drain on paper towels.  
3. In the food processor combine bacon, almonds, and cheese.
4. Make a slit down one side of each date; spread open and remove pit.  
5. Spoon about 1 T of the bacon mixture into each dat; press date to shape around the filling.  (filling will be exposed.)
6. Arrange dates, filling side up on and ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until heated through and cheese is slightly browned.  Cool slightly.
7. Before serving driest warm dates with honey and sprinkle with thyme.
8. Makes at least 24 servings.