Devils on Horseback

Oh my, I first tasted these amazing appetizers at Misfit in Santa Monica.
Dates stuffed with goat cheese and almonds wrapped in bacon, my idea of heaven.
And just in time for New Year's Eve !!!

For Christmas Eve we decided to do an all appetizer meal, both hot and cold.
Here was my excuse to try my hand at these delectable treats.

I was amazed at how many versions there are of devils on horseback. You can use a variety of cheeses: blue cheese, Stilton or asiago for example. Prunes can be used instead of dates, which would limit the number consumed. Some recipes use soy sauce, sherry or brown sugar and smoked almonds.

Here is the way I made them.

Devils on Horseback

Ingredients

soft goat cheese
whole almonds
sliced bacon
large dates, (medjools work well)
wooden toothpicks ( soaked in water)

I have not given amounts because it depends on how many you want to make and the size of your dates.
For each date you will need: one almond, about a 1/2 teaspoon of goat cheese, a half slice of bacon and one toothpick.
You do the math ;-)

I will give you lovely photos of the process.

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

1) Remove the pits from your dates.

2) Stuff with goat cheese and an almond.

3) Wrap in a half slice of bacon and secure with the toothpick.

4) Place on a foil lined baking pan.

5) Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the bacon is crisp. Remove onto a paper towel to drain.

6) Serve after allowing to cool for 5 minutes.

Most of the recipes did mention how hard it was to get a photo that makes them look appetizing. Oh well, you will just have to trust me on that.

I plan to make these again for New Year's Eve !!

Laurie's Sinful Salty Snack Mix

I know, just what we all need another salty snack food...and this one is so addicting !!
I used to lust after the mix they sell at Costco until I figured out I could make my own even better one.

I make it about once every couple of months, I find that after eating it for a few weeks I don't want to see it again for a while ;-) That being said, it does make a great party mix, movie or car snack.

Here what's in it.

Ingredients
I get all my ingredients at Trader Joe's but you can use any comparable brands.
1 bag  lightly salted roasted peanuts (16 ounces)
1 bag  lightly salted roasted almonds (16 ounces)
1 bag wasabi peas

1 bag sesame sticks

1 bag honey mustard pretzel pieces

1 bag rice cracker mix

1) In a really big bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Store is zip lock bags or other well sealed containers.
2) Be sure to give a bag to a friend to get them addicted so there will be less for you to eat.

something else to do with your Champion juicer

If you are luck enough to have one of these juicer in your kitchen ( or your garage), you can make very tasty nut butters.

I use a pound each of cashews, peanuts and almonds.
Trader Joe's carries a %50 less salt version of most roasted nuts, I use those for the peanuts and cashews, the almonds can be raw.

Be sure to mix the whole nuts together in a bowl first !!

With jam you have a very gourmet PB and J sandwich !!

Three pounds of nuts makes about three plus pint jars of nut butter.

Bob says to be sure to do a good job cleaning the axle for the blades.
Dry and even give it a bit of oil.

We have seen a half dozen of these machines at yard sales with the blades stuck on, this makes them useless.