The now shuttered JaJa Bistro in downtown Littleton, CO served a stuffed date appetizer that everyone raved over.
Sweet dates, filled with a slice of tart apple, wrapped in salty bacon and swimming in a crisp ale broth makes for an out-of-this-world combination. The last time we were there for dinner, and with some gentle prying, the chef shared the recipe with me.
Her’s why I found out why they’re so addicting.
This new information found me marching right over to the grocery store, and picking up the few items I needed to create this in my own kitchen.
Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon
Ingredients
- 6 whole Medjool dates pitted
- 1 Granny Smith Apple sliced into chunks
- 3 slices thin bacon cut in half
- 3 shallots thin sliced
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 bottle Woodchuck Hard Cider Crisp
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Saute shallots in butter until tender. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add a bottle of Woodchuck Hard Cider Ale, and let simmer until it cooks down. About 15 minutes.
- Make a slit down the side of each date and remove pit. Slice apples into slivers and insert a slice into each date. The slice of apple should be cut just large enough to barely protrude from the end of the date. Cut each slice of bacon in half and wrap around each date. Secure with a couple of toothpicks.
- In an oven proof serving bowl, place the wrapped dates and bake 5 minutes. Turn and bake another 5 minutes or until bacon looks crispy.
- Pour some of the hot ale mixture over the figs and serve.
- To serve add a date or two to a small bowl and add a splash of the hard cider reduction.
Nutrition
JaJa Bistro Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates…It’s What’s for an Appetizer.
From the kitchen of Lea Ann Brown
Why Trust These Recipes? Lea Ann Brown has lived, worked and played in Colorado for 45 years. She has immersed herself in the Colorado Culinary space, is a Culinary School Graduate and publishes her Colorado food Blog, Cooking On The Ranch.
I LOVE Jaja – and I believe it was your recommendation that brought me there first. Time to go again, love the brunch, or dinner, or any excuse to go, great date place with momma!
We went for the Boujalais (sp?) celebration, and the first night they served Beef Bourginon (sp?) Man I love that place.
These look to-die-for delicious. I love how bacon tastes with sweets – and that cider sauce sounds so darned good. Are the little red specks from the cider or is that a pinch of those tasty little Aleppo pepper flakes?
Yum, that does sound amazing!!
Thanks Jane
Oooh, these sound so good… love the apple bit in there along with the cider.
It’s a good combo Karen.
Bacon wrapped dates are one of my favorite appetizers. I haven’t had them in ages and don’t think I’ve ever made them at home. Thanks for the recipe, Lea Ann.
You’re welcome Cathy.
Stuffed dates are such a favorite of mine! Great recipe!
This sounds like a wonderful appetizer. I have hard cider that we made sitting in the wine cellar…this is a must do recipe.
I’m a new hard cider fan.
Judging from the comments, they must be good, but I’ll have to think about this one a little.
Where’s your sense of adventure Larry. 🙂
This looks wonderful! I have wrapped dates in bacon before but never with an apple hidden inside…and that sauce sounds fantastic! I will be serving this to friends at our next get together.
And they’re easy. I love that hard cider. I also used it in a mixture to baste my TG Turkey breast.
Passed on to my personal chef. Loved YaYa’s!!
I’m sure keeping that personal chef busy these days. 🙂
Yes you are – thanks! Keep up the good work!
I once ate a whole tray myself…yum.
As could I. 🙂
Now I see why you have some dates left 😉 These look delicious!! Good for you for replicating the recipe.
To answer your question on the nut recipe, I don’t see why dates wouldn’t work as well as figs, although I think they are just slightly softer in texture.
Thanks Susan. Those nuts sounded divine. As always, thanks for stopping by.
Our favorite food truck here in Knoxville makes something similar and Alexis always has to have them. They stuff theirs with almonds, wrap in bacon and have a blue cheese sauce which sounded gross to me but it really works.
This sounds amazingly good!!!