Description

Dates are decadent on their own but try pairing them with cheese and pecans for an even greater indulgence.

Ingredients

For the candied pecans: 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder 1/4- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (depending on heat preference) 1/4 cup light agave 1 cup pecan halves pinches 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

Steps

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare baking sheet by lining with parchment paper and set aside. Combine spices in a small bowl and stir to mix. 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. Add pecans to agave and toss to coat. Add spices to pecans and toss to coat. Spread pecans on prepared baking sheet in a single layer. 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. 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. Mix thyme and orange zest into softened goat cheese, stirring to combine evenly. 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. Top each stuffed date with a candied pecan.