Whip Up Some Pistachio-Stuffed Dates

With the holidays approaching, we’ve been testing out some nutty new appetizers. Yesterday, we had a smash hit with pistachio-stuffed dates! These plump, delicious dates filled with soft cheese and pistachios are a perfect start to any meal.

Start with 1 lb. of pitted dates. Cut a slit longways up one side of each date, so that the hollow center in the date is easy to get to and wider. Set the dates aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together 8 oz. of soft cheese, such as goat cheese or cream cheese, with 6 tbsp. of cream, whole milk or almond milk. Add 1 tsp. of clover honey, ¼ tsp. of ground cinnamon and 1 tsp. of fresh grated orange zest to the cheese mixture. Stir until combined. Add 4 tbsp. of chopped, roasted pistachios to the cheese mixture.

Carefully fill each slit date with ½ tsp of the cheese and pistachio mixture and gently squeeze the date shut. (The dates will not close completely after stuffing them.) Sprinkle an additional 2 tbsp. of toasted, chopped pistachios over the stuffed dates. Serve the dates immediately or refrigerate them, covered, for up to a day.

What are some of your favorite nutty holiday appetizers?

 

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