Medjool Dates With Whipped Goat’s Cheese & Honey

Stuffed Medjool Dates:

These whipped goat’s cheese stuffed dates are a pretty irresistible party appetiser, and a fantastic way to showcase the unique flavour of goat’s cheese.

Often considered polarising due to its distinct taste, goat’s cheese transforms into a universally appealing ingredient with these Medjool Dates stuffed with goat’s cheese, rich, creamy Greek yoghurt, aromatic garlic, and fresh herbs.

To add a touch of sweetness, these luscious party bites are drizzled with honey. One thing is for sure-your guests won’t be able to stop at just one!

Why Medjool Dates?

These bite-sized appetisers are a perfect addition to any party food menu.

Made with Medjool dates which are often referred to as, “the king of dates,” they bring a luxurious touch to any spread although I do suggest you serve them with a serviette as they are a little sticky.

Medjool Dates & Goat’s Cheese are a classic combination & are 2 ingredients that deserve the limelight. Simple but sophisticated, these stuffed dates are in a league of their own.

Unlike many other varieties of dates, Medjool dates are large, with soft, succulent flesh, and they are not dried but fresh.

This freshness adds a delightful contrast to the creamy goat’s cheese filling, adding a caramel-like profile.

Middle Eastern Memories

Living in the Middle East, dates become a staple in daily cuisine.

Although they are high in natural sugars, they are fantastic in moderation and pair wonderfully with goat’s cheese.

The rich sweetness of the dates balances the tangy, savoury flavours of the cheese mixture, creating a delicious bite that’s both indulgent and nutritious and a true bite-sized appetiser.

Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a more sophisticated event, these stuffed dates will undoubtedly impress.

They are not only delicious but also a conversation starter, reflecting the rich culinary traditions of the Middle East while showcasing the versatility of goat’s cheese.

So, the next time you’re planning a menu, be sure to include these heavenly bites- you won’t regret it!

Medjool Dates with Whipped Goat’s Cheese & Honey

(Serves 12 Prep 20 Mins)

You Will Need:

• Medjool Dates: Known as “the king of dates,” these large, succulent fruits have a rich, caramel-like flavour and a soft, chewy texture. They are perfect for stuffing due to their size and natural sweetness. Most Supermarkets have Medjool dates in the fresh produce section or try your green grocer.
• Goat’s Cheese: Goat’s cheese does often get labelled as ‘polarising’. I love it & it adds a smooth, creamy base for your filling, creating a rich, luscious texture. Try it before you judge -this is a great way to test your taste buds and warm up to it’s intense flavour as in this recipe, you will find it is not intense at all.
• Greek Yoghurt: I always have a large tub of Greek yoghurt in the fridge as it can have so many applications and a tangy, creamy element that enhances the flavour of the goat’s cheese while adding a light, airy consistency to the mixture.
• Garlic Olive Oil: You thought I was going to skip the Garlic- Nope! Only in this instance I have used garlic Olive oil & Garlic granules. The combination of both infuses the cheese mixture with a subtle, savoury garlic flavour, adding depth and richness to the filling.
• Garlic Granules: Garlic granules Enhance the garlic flavour, providing a consistent, robust taste throughout the cheese mixture.
• Flat Leaf Parsley: The addition of fresh herbs ties this dish together, I have chosen flat-leaf parsley and dill. The flat leaf parsley adds a fresh, slightly peppery flavour and a pop of green colour to the filling, enhancing both the taste and appearance of the stuffed dates.
• Fresh Dill: Dill Imparts a delicate, slightly tangy flavour that complements the creaminess of the cheese mixture, adding a touch of herbaceous brightness. It works beautifully with the parsley. You only want a couple of Tbsp of each herb, depending on the number of bites you are preparing. I have catered for 12.
• Honey (to drizzle): There is something about honey and goat’s cheese! The honey provides another touch of natural sweetness, perfectly balancing the savoury and tangy flavours of the cheese mixture and the rich, sweet dates.

You can garnish these dates with lots of different ingredients including nuts. I have chosen the nuts I think do this dish justice & have garnished half-half, some with walnuts, some with Pistachios. The choice is yours. I have not added salt to the filling as I personally don’t think it needs it but feel free.

• Pistachio Nuts (garnish): Adds a delightful crunch and a nutty, slightly sweet flavour, as well as a beautiful green colour that contrasts with the dates and cheese filling.
• Walnuts (garnish): Walnuts offers a rich, earthy flavour and a satisfying crunch, enhancing the texture and taste of the stuffed dates.
• Dill (garnish): Fresh dill sprigs add a final touch of colour and a hint of herbal freshness, tying together the flavours of the stuffed dates.

I think the key here is to balance sweet with tangy, crunch with creamy, & bringing in the herbs for well rounded flavour profile. Try my Medjool Dates with Whipped Goat’s Cheese & Honey and tell me what you think!

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dates: Carefully slice the dates in 1/2 lengthways & remove the pip
2. Make the Filling: In the bowl of a mini food processor, combine goat’s cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic olive oil, garlic granules, flat leaf parsley, and fresh dill & pulse until smooth and creamy.
3. Stuff the Dates: Fill each date with a generous teaspoonful of the cheese mixture.
4. Drizzle with Honey: Lightly drizzle honey over the stuffed dates for a touch of sweetness.
5. Garnish: Sprinkle chopped pistachio nuts or walnuts, and a sprig of fresh dill over the stuffed dates for added texture, flavour, and visual appeal.
6. Serve: Arrange the stuffed dates on a platter and serve as an elegant appetiser or snack.
7. Enjoy!

Helpful Hints

• You need to use Medjool dates. Dried dates don’t have the soft chewy texture & caramel flavour and are smaller, so don’t hold as much filling. Medjool dates are fresh and larger.

• You don’t want your filling too runny so start with a little yoghurt and increase as you need.

• You can substitute with regards to the nuts and herbs in this dish. I have chosen the ones that I think work and that I like but there is room to move here so make them to your taste. I do suggest tasting them though, you may find that you like them even if you have not previously liked dates OR goat’s cheese or a particular herb. When the flavours are matched correctly, they work a treat.

Medjool Dates with Whipped Goat’s Cheese & Honey

Recipe

(Serves 12 Prep 20 Mins)

Ingredients

• 6 Medjool Dates
• 80g Goat’s Cheese
• 2 Tbsp Greek Yoghurt
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Olive Oil
• 2 Tbsp Flat Leaf Parsley
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Dill
• Garlic Granules
• 1 Tbsp Honey (to drizzle)
• 2 Tbsp Pistachio Nuts (garnish)
• 2 Tbsp Walnuts (garnish)
• 12 Sprigs Dill (garnish)

Method

1. Slice the dates in half lengthways & remove the pip
2. In the bowl of a processor, add the goat’s cheese, yoghurt, Olive oil, Granulated garlic and herbs.
3. Process until smooth and creamy and well combined
4. Spoon a tsp of the cheese mix into each date slice
5. Drizzle each date half with honey
6. Garnish with walnuts or pistachios & a sprig of dill
7. Serve & Enjoy!

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

• Late Harvest Riesling: These sweet wines complement the natural sweetness of Medjool dates, enhancing their rich, caramel-like flavours.
• Chardonnay: A buttery, oaked Chardonnay pairs well with the creamy texture of the goat’s cheese, providing a smooth, harmonious balance.
• Sauvignon Blanc: The crisp acidity of Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the tanginess of Greek yoghurt, creating a refreshing contrast.
• Pinot Grigio: The light, crisp nature of Pinot Grigio balances the subtle garlic flavour, ensuring it doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
• Moscato d’Asti: The light sweetness and effervescence of Moscato d’Asti beautifully complement the drizzle of honey, enhancing its natural sweetness.
• Viognier: Viognier’s floral and nutty undertones match the flavour profile of pistachio nuts, creating a harmonious pairing.