Dates w/Ancho Chili Oil

By zboni

Ingredients

• Dates:
• 1 cup minced walnuts
• 1 Tbsp. fresh sage
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp orange zest, grated
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 10 Medjool dates, cut in halves or thirds and pitted
• 8 thin strips Serrano ham, or prosciutto, cut into 3/4" wide strips.
• Oil:
• 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp. Ancho Chili Powder

Preparation

Step 1

Dates:

Put rack at top of oven and preheat to 350.
In s small bowl, mix walnuts, sage, garlic, orange zest and oil into a crumbly paste.
Using a teaspoon, press the paste into the date cavities.
Wrap with 3" strips of ham.
Place dates on ungreased pan and roast for 6 mins.
Place on serving tray and drizzle with ancho oil.


Ancho Chili Oil:

Put oil and ancho powder in a small sauce pan and warm gently on low heat for 10 mins. Set aside for 1 hour to allow flavor to develop, then strain through a paper towel. This can be done a day ahead.

Serve warm or room temperature.