Nasty Dates Recipe From Lust For Leaf
To learn more about this recipe, read the related story, "Veg Halen," in Tasting Table's Los Angeles edition.
Recipe adapted from "Lust for Leaf," by Alex Brown and Evan George (Da Capo Press)
Nasty Dates
Prep Time
20
minutes
Cook Time
10
minutes
servings
20
dates
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 20 pitted dates (preferably Medjool dates)
- ¼ cup red curry paste
- 8 ounces blue cheese (preferably mild Danish Mycella blue cheese)
- Nonstick pan spray
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
Directions
- Fill a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with 1 inch of cold water. Add 10 wood skewers and soak for 10 minutes.
- Use a paring knife to make a small incision in the side of each date. Add about ½ teaspoon of curry paste to each date. Pinch off about 1 teaspoon of blue cheese and stuff it into each date, then press the date closed (the cheese will be slightly exposed).
- Drain the skewers and thread 2 dates onto each. Spray both sides of the dates with a light coating of nonstick pan spray.
- Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat for 1½ minutes (or heat a charcoal or gas grill to high heat). Use tongs and a folded paper towel to lightly coat the grill pan (or grill grates) with the canola oil. Grill the dates, incision side down, until the cheese starts to turn golden-brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the skewers over and grill until the cheese starts to melt, about 3 to 4 minutes longer. Serve warm.