There are many versions of tapas. In Spain, these small dishes are usually served to accompany a glass of wine or beer in a bar or restaurant. If you order a drink, you normally get a small bite along with it. This can be a few chips or a mix of nuts and dried fruits. If you get something delicious like these Dates & Prunes wrapped in Bacon, this can be considered the »jackpot«… because it doesn’t happen that often ;P
In Spanish bars and restaurants, tapas are served with alcoholic drinks. If you order some wine or a beer, it’s customary to get something to nibble on along with your drink. This can be as simple as a small bowl of chips or nuts, but some bars/restaurants offer a little more sometimes. Small slices of bread topped with ham, maybe some potato salad (insalata russa) or if you are lucky, some pieces of Tortilla de Patatas. In theory, a lot is possible, but in practice, it’s usually just some chips and nuts ;P
To be honest – I am happy when I get something small to snack on. If you want more, because you are hungry, you can order several small bowls or plates of tapas. This tapa here – the bacon-wrapped dates and prunes (Ciruelas y Dátiles con Bacon) are rather rare to find as a free addition to a drink. You usually have to order these delicacies separately and then pay for them, of course ;P
Well – preparing this snack at home is super easy. Two simple steps and the dates/prunes are ready to eat. Wrap and fry. That’s all you have to do ;) The result is incredibly tasty. Every time. Provided you like dates and prunes. Some people have a problem with the flavor and texture of dried fruits. But then I think… if you wrap something in bacon and fry it, everyone will like it ;P
Dates wrapped in bacon are a popular tapas in Spain. Wrapped prunes are less common, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less delicious. It’s probably just a matter of preference or tradition which one you use. I once read that you can also use dried apricots. I assume they are quite tasty as well. I might repeat myself here, but pretty much everything that is wrapped in bacon and fried will taste delicious ;P
I got a few more tapas recipes here on the blog – maybe you want to try some of them: delicious Pinchos Morunos or Patatas Bravas with Aioli. Both dishes are extremely delicious and highly recommended.
¡Buen provecho!
INGREDIENTS / ZUTATEN
(4 servings)
some olive oil for frying
12 dried dates
12 dried plums (prunes)
12 bacon strips
2 tbsp. honey
(4 Portionen)
etwas Olivenöl zum Anbraten
12 getrocknete Datteln
12 getrocknete Pflaumen
12 Scheiben Frühstücksspeck
2 EL Honig
DIRECTIONS / ZUBEREITUNG
1. Cut the bacon strips in half and wrap each date/prune with the bacon pieces. Set aside.
2. Add some olive oil to a frying pan and heat up. Place the wrapped dates/prunes inside the frying pan, with the side where the bacon is overlapping/closing around the dried fruits facing down – this should help keep the bacon in place and not unraveling while frying. If you want to be on the safe side, you can help yourself with some toothpicks. Fry the wrapped dates/prunes from all sides until nicely browned. The fat from the bacon should have almost disappeared.
3. Reduce the heat, add the honey, and carefully mix everything. Allow the dates/plums to sizzle for another 1-2 minutes, then transfer them to a bowl and serve while still warm.
1. Den Frühstücksspeck halbieren und jede Dattel bzw. Pflaume mit einer der Hälften einwickeln. Zur Seite stellen.
2. Etwas Olivenöl in einer Pfanne erhitzen. Die eingewickelten Datteln und Pflaumen mit der Seite, auf der der Bacon überlappt, nach unten in die Pfanne legen und anbraten. Das sollte helfen, dass der Bacon um die Datteln und Pflaumen gewickelt bleibt und nicht sofort herunterfällt. Wer ganz sicher gehen möchte, kann mit Zahnstochern nachhelfen. Von allen Seiten rundum schön anbraten, bis das Fett des Specks fast verschwunden ist.
3. Die Hitzezufuhr verringern, den Honig zur Pfanne dazugeben und alles vorsichtig vermengen. Die Datteln/Pflaumen weitere 1-2 Minuten brutzeln lassen, dann in eine Schüssel geben und noch warm servieren.
The dates and plums wrapped in bacon go well with, who would have thought, some great Spanish red wine! Beer works too, of course. I’ve seen some good offers for wine packages on Amazon. We have already tested this wine set* and thought it was quite good. However, if you have a wine merchant nearby, it’s best to go there and get advice on the spot. At a local wine merchant, you may also be able to sample wines and find a good one more quickly :)
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Here is a version of the recipe you can print easily.
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Ciruelas y Dátiles con Bacon
- Prep Time: 00:05
- Cook Time: 00:10
- Total Time: 00:15
- Yield: 20 1x
- Category: Tapas
- Cuisine: Spain
Description
Dates and plums wrapped in bacon – the perfect sweet and salty snack for your next gathering with friends or family. So good!
Ingredients
some olive oil for frying
12 dried dates
12 dried plums (prunes)
12 bacon strips
2 tbsp. honey
Instructions
1. Cut the bacon strips in half and wrap each date/prune with the bacon pieces. Set aside.
2. Add some olive oil to a frying pan and heat up. Place the wrapped dates/prunes inside the frying pan, with the side where the bacon is overlapping/closing around the dried fruits facing down – this should help keep the bacon in place and not unraveling while frying. If you want to be on the safe side, you can help yourself with some toothpicks. Fry the wrapped dates/prunes from all sides until nicely browned. The fat from the bacon should have almost disappeared.
3. Reduce the heat, add the honey, and carefully mix everything. Allow the dates/plums to sizzle for another 1-2 minutes, then transfer them to a bowl and serve while still warm.
Notes
¡Buen provecho!
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I love my job, but in between I love to bake and try new things in the kitchen. A lot of my friends and colleagues encourage me to bake - for a very simple reason: they get the leftovers - and it seems they like it most of the time ;) 
