Bacon Wrapped Dates with Chorizo or Goat Cheese

Ingredients

1 small Spanish chorizo sausage (about 2 ounces), casing removed, cooked

1/4 lb goat cheese

24 Medjool dates, pitted

12 slices of bacon, halved crosswise

Slice the chorizo crosswise in thirds. Halve each piece lengthwise, then cut each half into 2 lengthwise strips to make a total of 12 small sticks.

Slice the goat cheese into 12 small "logs" as well.

Tuck a piece of chorizo into 12 of the dates and pinch the dates closed.  Tuck a piece of goat cheese in the other 12 dates and pinch the dates closed.

Wrap a strip of bacon around each date and secure with a toothpick.

Place the wrapped dates in a large skillet, seam sides down, and sauté, turning, until the bacon is browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.