As seen on The Tasting Table, Episode 1.
A blast from the past. This appetizer was an unexpected surprise. I had the pleasure of visiting the Ritz-Carlton hotel in downtown Toronto where my husband’s friend was staying. He invited us to dinner at the hotel restaurant, Epoch. We ordered a couple of appetizers to start. One in particular stood out, “Devils on Horseback”. I’ve never tried it before because it’s not an appetizer that you see on menus very often. It’s something you might see on an episode of Mad Men because it’s from that era. It’s a variation of another classic, “Angels on Horseback” which is bacon wrapped oysters. The “Devil” version is bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese. It was so delicious, so decadently sweet and salty. When I got home, I googled it. There were several recipes online. I started experimenting. This is how I’ve been making it and now you can enjoy it at home at a fraction of the cost if you were to order it at a restaurant.
Below is the sangria recipe that Cathy Skidmore demonstrated on the first episode of The Tasting Table.
Devils On Horseback
Equipment
- baking tray
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool Dates
- 75 g Blue Cheese (crumbled)
- 4 slices Bacon (cut into thirds)
- 12 Toothpicks (optional)
- 12 pieces Chopped Almonds or Walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven 400 degrees
- Make a slit on each date. Do not cut through. Take the pit out.
- Spoon approximately half a teaspoon of blue cheese into the date.
- Press in a piece of nut and squeeze the date to keep the cheese and nut inside.
- Wrap a piece of bacon around the date and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. At halfway, turn each one over. Cool 5 minutes before serving. You can put it under the broiler for the last 2 minutes to crisp up the bacon, but watch it carefully that it doesn't burn. Be sure your baking tray can be used under the broiler.
- Alternate to baking option: if you like a crispier bacon, you can put it under the broiler for approximately 9 - 11 minutes BUT be sure to check often, making sure you turn the appetizers. You must check every few minutes as all ovens are different and broiling can quickly burn your appetizers!
Cathy’s Juicy Blackberry Sangria
Serves 4
2 scoops Juicy BlackBerry Sangria, Fruit Tea
2 cups of boiled water
citrus slices and mint garnish
blueberries, raspberries for garnish
2 cups ice
Optional: Add a half bottle of Red or White Wine (eg. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc)
Steep Juicy BlackBerry Sangria in boiling water for at least 10 minutes. Chill in fridge if using later. Mix ingredients in a large *pitcher. Garnish glasses with fruit and ice. Fill glasses. Top with a splash of sparkling water.
Sit back and enjoy! *Double this recipe if you want to serve in a punch bowl. 
