Sunday, February 2, 2014

Who wants to see some Fooootbaaaalll!

Yes, the Seattle Seahawks play at the Superbowl on Sunday.

Being from the Seattle area in Washington State, this is a HUGE deal!
Superbowl Sunday no matter who is playing is a time for friends and family to gather around wearing their team colors and cozy slippers and curl up on the couch (but be ready to leap out of the couch or chair at a moments notice to yell about a play) and take the day to forget about your health goals. One of the biggest snack eating days of the year!

Sunday is going to be the game of the year for Seattle. We are cheering them on here in North Africa! We will miss the social gathering, the Whooo-hooing for the great plays and the booing for the bad calls. But, we know we will be well informed by the ongoing "News" on Facebook. LOL!

So here is a sweet and savory treat to contribute to the snack table. I hope you enjoy it as much as Marty and I do. This one Marty makes. It's a perfect combination of sweet and salty with great healthful benefits. Dates are always available here in Tunisia. Fresh, mildly sweet and loaded with goodness.



Bacon Wrapped Dates

sliced bacon cut in half (as many slices as you want)
whole dates rinsed off (you can slice and get the pit out. If not, just leave them in)
toothpicks

Optional ingredients:
2 Tbls bacon grease
fennel bulb quartered and sliced
brussel sprouts (barbie doll lettuce is what we used to call it) as many as you like. Cut the ends off and pull off the outside leaves. Cut sprout in 1/2.


For the bacon wrapped dates:
Preheat oven to 350-400 degrees
Wrap one date with bacon and secure with a toothpick. When all the dates have their "date" with the bacon, place the them in a baking pan lined with parchment paper or foil. Cook until bacon is at desired doneness. We like to cook them a little longer. The bacon is crispy and the dates caramelize to make it nice chewy. It tastes like candy! YUM!

When the bacon wraps are done, remove them from the baking dish on to a paper towel lined plate to cool. Remove the foil or parchment paper from the baking dish and scoop out about 2 Tbls of the bacon grease. Pour grease into a fry pan. On medium to high heat add in the fennel and brussel sprouts. Saute and make sure they are covered with the bacon grease. Let them dance around and get to know each other until the fennel is slightly tender and the brussel sprouts get a little browned. Pour veggies on to a plate and top with the bacon wrapped dates. YUM!

Marty and I like to make the bacon dates when we are feeling the need to snack but don't want to eat a whole meal. They are very filling and the dates are loaded with goodness. What's so great about dates?

Enjoy your treat and most of all enjoy the game!



Gluten free and Paleo friendly meal


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