Spicy Dates

Styling and Photography by Chay Berger | Food Prep by Leah Hamaoui

Dates wrapped in smoked meat? Check. Hot dogs in blankets just because they’re everyone’s favorites? Check.

As I was preparing, I thought, What would happen if we married these two? It was a good shidduch, that’s for sure, especially when measured in the time it takes for them to disappear off the buffet. Here it served as an appetizer and a dipping sauce, but it also does very well on a buffet… Trust me, I know.

Serves 12

• 12 squares puff pastry
• 3 Tbsp old-fashioned mustard
• 12 slices smoked meat of choice
• 12 dates, pitted
• 2 spicy hot dogs or thinner pepperoni, each cut into 6 even pieces
• 1 egg, beaten
• sesame seeds, for sprinkling (optional)

Dipping Sauce

• 6 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp spicy brown mustard
• 1 tsp hot sauce

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Place 1 square of puff pastry on your work surface. Brush a line of mustard lightly down the middle. Place a slice of smoked meat on the dough. Place a date in the center of the meat and place the spicy hot dog slice in the center of the date.

Roll up and pull the dough over the edges. Slice off any extra dough and pull it tightly so that it’s fully covered. Alternatively, you can use a thinner strip of dough and just wrap it around the center of the meat. Place on a baking sheet.