Bacon-wrapped Dates

You will also need:

1. A flat-bottomed pan.
2. A couple of forks to turn the dates as they sauté.

For the dates:

1. If using American bacon, cut each strip in half lengthwise and cut each half crosswise to form 4 equal sized strips. If you are using European breakfast bacon, cut each slice lengthwise into 2 strips. (A strip of it is shorter than a strip of American bacon.)
2. Starting at one end of a date, wind a strip of bacon around it so that only the two ends of the date are visible. There is a photo illustrating this step on the related link. Smooth the bacon around the date as you wind it so that it hugs the shape of the date. Wind a strip of bacon around each date.
3. Heat a little oil in the pan over medium heat and add the dates. Sauté them gently and not too quickly, turning them with the help of two forks, so that the bacon crisps slowly on all sides of the date. The bacon will fasten itself around the date as it crisps. When done gently remove them from the pan using the forks, and place on a paper towel.
4. Serve the dates hot, with some small forks or toothpicks at the side to use for picking them up.