If it has bacon in it, it has to be GREAT – right? I had this tasty appetizer a few years ago when my sister brought it to a holiday party. When she told us about it, I think I may have turned my nose up at the thought of the mystery ingredients wrapped in savory bacon – but I overcame my fear when I heard the raves from everyone eating the Rumaki.
Traditional Rumaki has chicken livers in it, but this recipe has changed things up a bit. It’s so stinkin easy to make and the best part is it only requires 3 – that’s right, 3 ingredients. Are you ready? Whole dates, pitted preferred, sliced water chestnuts and BACON. That’s it!
- First you slice open a whole date, lengthwise. If the pit is still in there, just pop it out.Then you wedge a slice of water chestnut in the opening. It may stick out a bit, but that’s not a problem once you wrap it in a blanket of bacon.
2. Cut your bacon slices in half crosswise, then wrap the BACON around the whole date business and hold it in place with a toothpick.
3. Line a cookie sheet with foil – you’ll be glad you did when clean-up time comes. Place the Rumaki on the cookie sheet in nice rows, then bake at 300° for 20 – 30 min. You want the bacon to look slightly crispy, but not too crispy.
Each bite is a taste sensation you really wouldn’t expect. The bacon gives it the yummy smokey flavor, the date adds a bit of sweetness, and the water chestnut gives it a slight crunch, without much taste. For this batch, I only had maple flavored bacon on hand – and it was yummilicious!!
I’ve seen other recipes that call for an almond or chicken liver as the stuffing for the date. Give this one a try for your New Year’s Eve get together; you won’t be disappointed. MMMMMMMM – Rumaki!
Rumaki - Bacon Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
- pitted dates
- 1 can of water chestnuts
- bacon sliced in half crosswise
- foil
Instructions
- First you slice open a whole date, lengthwise. If the pit is still in there, just pop it out.Then you wedge a slice of water chestnut in the opening. It may stick out a bit, but that's not a problem once you wrap it in a blanket of bacon.
- Cut your bacon slices in half crosswise, then wrap the BACON around the whole date business and hold it in place with a toothpick.
- Line a cookie sheet with foil - you'll be glad you did when clean-up time comes.
- Place the Rumaki on the cookie sheet in nice rows, then bake at 300° for 20 - 30 min. You want the bacon to look slightly crispy, but not too crispy.
DEE says
MY MOTHER IN LAW MAKES THESE EXCEPT INSIDE OF DATE SHE PUTS A SLIVER OF CHEDDER CHEESE,YUMMIE GOOD.!
Emily Lyon says
Ooh, that sounds yummy too!