Last week I was looking for a first course for a corporate cooking class that was easy to prepare and certain to please. I decided to test making bacon wrapped dates. Am I ever glad I did. The bites are salty and crisp on the outside, soft and sweet in the middle and contain a dense, satisfying almond in the very center. They are best served very warm.

These babies are so simple that I made enough to feed my class of twenty (forty dates worth) in fifteen minutes. After a few minutes on the grill, they disappeared from the serving plate as quickly and with as much gusto as Devie the big hound pursues squirrels in the backyard.

When you want an appetizer to wow the crowd that takes just minutes, try these dates.

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Bacon-Wrapped Almond-Stuffed Dates

dried, pitted whole dates homemade or high quality bacon, one thin 6 inch piece per date raw or blanched almonds, 1 per date

1. Preheat oven or grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Insert one almond into each date. Wrap bacon around the date and secure with a toothpick. 3. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until bacon is browned and crisp. 4. Serve warm over arugula salad for a plated appetizer or on a hot platter for a party.

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PS. Did you see the first of my birthday giveaways? Stay tuned tonight for another one and enter the Kroger Giftcard Giveaway today.