Dates in Blankets

It may take two to tango, but it takes only one to cook up a storm.

A throwback to my time working at Augustus Harris; a quaint Venetian bacàro in the heart of Covent Garden. Quite simply, these are nuggets of euphoria. 3 ingredients, 5 minutes prep, 15 minutes cooking. Cheap, easy, and cheerful summed up.

A popular setting for a first date, this bar proved completely counterproductive. Stuffed, wrapped, and oozing with melted gorgonzola, it was their own dates on the plate that were to be remembered, far more than the one who sat opposite.

🥓 Serves 1 (makes 3 dates)

• 3 dates

• a good tsp of gorgonzola per date

• 3 slices pancetta affumicata

1. Preheat your oven to 180'C.

2. With a knife, cut down the centre of the date and remove the stone.

3. Dollop up a generous teaspoon of gorgonzola and stuff it into the date.

4. Wrap a slice of pancetta affumicata around the date.

5. Put in the oven for 10-15 minutes (you want the cheese bubbling, and the pancetta slightly crispy).

6. Prod a sustainable stick into your date.

7. Beware of the heat, and eat.