Stuffed Dates

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. 2
   Slice the dates lengthwise, taking care not to cut them completely in half.
3. 3
   Remove the pit.
4. 4
   Take a heaping tablespoon of soy-rizo (more if the dates are rather large or you like things extra spicy) and stuff it into a pitted date.
5. 5
   Smoosh the date back together and set aside.
6. 6
   Repeat with the remaining dates.
7. 7
   Next take a slice of bacon and wrap it around the stuffed date.
8. 8
   Pin it in place with a toothpick.
9. 9
   Place wrapped dates on the baking sheet.
10. 10
    Repeat with remaining dates.
11. 11
    Give the wrapped dates a quick spray with nonstick vegetable spray and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes, turning dates halfway through to ensure even cooking.
12. 12
    Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
13. 13
    Serve warm or cold, either way theyre darn tasty.
14. 14
    Serves 4-5.
15. 15
    Note: I used a combination of frozen Morningstar brand bacon and homemade.
16. 16
    The Morningstar bacon was crunchy, which added a nice textural element to the dates, but the homemade was more bacon-y (if thats a word) and a little chewier, so pick depending on your personal bacon preference.