Chevre Devils

11 ingredients
12 steps

Ingredients

  • for the candied pecans
  • 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (up to 1/2 teaspoon, depending on heat preference)
  • 1/4 cup light agave
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • for the dates
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon orange or tangerine zest
  • 1/2 cup soft goat cheese (such as Montrachet), set in a bowl at room temperature to soften a bit
  • 24 Medjool dates, pitted by making a slit down the center and removing the pit, keeping the date as intact as possible

Directions

  1. 1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. 2
    Prepare baking sheet by lining with parchment paper and set aside.
  3. 3
    Combine spices in a small bowl and stir to mix.
  4. 4
    Pour agave into small metal bowl or pie pan. Set bowl or pan over saucepan with small amount of boiling water for about a minute. This will make the agave easier to work with. Remove bowl or pan from heat.
  5. 5
    Add pecans to agave and toss to coat.
  6. 6
    Add spices to pecans and toss to coat.
  7. 7
    Spread pecans on prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
  8. 8
    Cook in the oven for 10 minutes, checking and stirring (agave should be bubbling) once or twice with a wooden spoon. Pecans should be fragrant and golden brown. Be careful not to burn the pecans.
  9. 9
    Remove pan from oven. As they cool, sprinkle pecans with a pinch of sea salt. Slowly begin separate the pecans from the parchment. If the pecans seem sticky, let them cool a little longer. When finished they should have a hard shell and a nice crunch.
  10. 10
    Mix thyme and orange zest into softened goat cheese, stirring to combine evenly.
  11. 11
    Using a sharp knife, make a slit in the top of each date and carefully remove the pit. Stuff dates with about 1/2 teaspoon of goat cheese, give or take some to fill the date.
  12. 12
    Top each stuffed date with a candied pecan. Arrange on serving platter and watch them disappear!

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