Bacon-Wrapped Dates With Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce

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My hubby had to go to Las Vegas for work a few weeks back.  He flew there and back in one day so that he could meet with his company's European distributer.  The poor man came home exhausted and raving about the Bacon-Wrapped Dates that he ate at the Wynn.  

I decided to try and recreate them as an appetizer to our Thanksgiving Day feast. 

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The ingredients are simple:  dates and bacon.  I used thick-cut bacon and, since the slices were rather large, I decided to cut them in quarters.  

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Grab a date and a slice of bacon.  Lay the date at one end of the bacon slice and start rolling. 

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Secure the bacon with a toothpick.  It can't get much easier than that!

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Repeat until you have a bowl full.  

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Heat some oil in a small pot and fry the bacon-wrapped dates in batches.  The bacon should be crisp but not brittle.  

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Allow them to drain on a paper bag or paper towels before serving.  Serve while still warm either alone or with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce (recipe below).

Bacon-Wrapped Dates 

slices of thick cut bacon, cut in half or quarters depending on the size
whole pitted dates
oil for frying
toothpicks

Wrap the dates with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.  Fry in batches until the bacon is crisp.  Allow them to drain for a few minutes before serving. 

Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce

1 Tbs. butter
1 Tbs. flour
1 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. blue cheese, crumbled
salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter in a saucepan.  Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Add the cream and whisk to combine.  Continue stirring and cook over medium heat until thickened.  Add the blue cheese and cook, stirring, until melted.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.