I first experienced the magic of a bacon-wrapped date and whipped feta 10 years ago, as a server at Butcher & Bee. When designing Southern Siren’s menu, I chose to stuff my bacon-wrapped dates with feta as an homage to the Mediterranean- and Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant where my husband and I hosted our rehearsal dinner.
Sometimes the easiest things to make are the bites people love most. These holiday hors d’oeuvres can be assembled a day ahead and popped in the oven before guests arrive. Savory pumpkin balances the date’s sweetness – just be prepared for requests to make them at every
party thereafter!
Ingredients (yields ~ 48 dates)
4 oz good feta (crumbled)
3 Tbsp pumpkin puree
3 Tbsp cream cheese (room temperature)
2 Tbsp EVOO
2 tsp lemon juice
1⁄8 tsp salt
1⁄8 tsp black pepper
48 whole Medjool dates
24 bacon slices
48 toothpicks
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Process feta, pumpkin, and cream cheese with an immersion blender until smooth. Add EVOO, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until creamy.
3. Using a knife, make a lengthwise slit down one side of each date. Remove the pit and any stem end, if necessary. Gently open each date without splitting it completely in half, and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet with the cut side facing up.
4. Transfer the pumpkin whipped feta to a piping bag, then pipe approximately 1 tsp of filling into the cavity of each date.
5. Gently close each date around the filling, wiping away any excess. Cut the bacon strips in half and wrap one piece around each date. Secure with a toothpick.
6. Arrange the dates on a rimmed baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Bake 12–16 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the bacon is browned and crisp.
7. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool slightly.
Southern Siren Drop-Off Catering brings the party to you! Visit www.southernsirenchs.com to view Chef Meg’s menu, which features Southern and Mediterranean dishes inspired by seasonal, local ingredients. Minimum $250 per order; disposables included. Delivery available to most of Charleston County. Submit your order online or reach out to Chef Meg for a quote: meg@southernsirenchs.com or 843-481-2790.