WARM DATES WITH BLUE CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO

Warm Dates with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

24 large dried Medjool dates with pits (14 ounces)
6 ounces sharp blue cheese, such as Bleu d'Auvergne
1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto (8 to 10 large slices)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
With a small paring knife, slit each date lengthwise and spread open just enough to remove the pit while leaving the date intact. Fill the cavity of each date with a small piece of blue cheese and fold the date over the cheese, pressing it back into its original shape.
Cut a strip of prosciutto as wide as each date is long and wrap it around twice, enclosing the date almost completely. Place the dates on a sheet pan and bake for about 8 minutes, until the prosciutto is browned and the cheese starts to melt.
Cool slightly and serve warm.