Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates With Basil & Prosciutto - cooking recipe

Ingredients

20 fresh dates
6 ounces goat cheese
20 large basil leaves
6 ounces prosciutto, sliced to fit around date
20 toothpicks, soaked in water

Preparation

Soak toothpicks in water while preparing the dates. Use a sharp paring knife to slit each date lengthwise, and pop out the pit. Snip basil leaves from stems - use sharp scissors to avoid bruising the leaves. For larger leaves, slice in half lengthwise.
Cut prosciutto into strips about 1 inch wide by 4 inches long. For packaged prosciutto this generally means cutting each strip into quarters.
Preheat broiler.
With a small spoon, butter knife, or offset spatula, stuff about 1 teaspoons goat cheese into each date.
Wrap a basil leaf around each date.
Wrap prosciutto over the basil, securing with a toothpick.
Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
Broil for about 2-3 minutes, use tongs to turn dates over, and broil another 2-3 minutes until prosciutto is golden and sizzling.
Transfer to serving dishes.
Garnish with fresh basil.
Delicious hot from the over or at room temperature.