A Feast for the Holidays

Last month around Christmas weekend, we celebrated my parents' 28th anniversary. My mom had wanted me to make reservations at a nice restaurant for dinner, but the holidays just would not be the same without a home cooked meal. And what better way to spend time with family than by bonding in the kitchen over pots, pans, and pasta. It was a perfect excuse to try out my new Le Creuset dutch oven that the boy got me for Christmas! Recipes included - click on links below for recipes and more pics.  (Too many recipes to fit in one post!)

Prosciutto Wrapped Dates

Prosciutto and basil wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: 20 pieces

Ingredients:

20 dried pitted dates

3oz goat cheese

20 basil leaves

5 slices of prosciutto

20 toothpicks

Instructions:

1. Open each date up lengthwise (usually pitted dates will already have a lengthwise incision down the middle

2. Stuff each date with a small amount of goat cheese distributed evenly amongst the dates

3. Wrap each date up with a basil leaf

4. Cut each slice of prosciutto lengthwise into 4 pieces. Wrap each basil wrapped date in prosciutto.

5. Place on a baking sheet and broil on high for 7 minutes until prosciutto starts to bubble.

6. Insert a toothpick into each date and serve warm