Mondays with Martha

Singles! Entertaining can be lots of fun! Here are 2 delicious and easy Christmas/Holiday Party Recipes. Enjoy!

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Heat broiler. Stuff pitted dates with whole blanched almonds or  press pistachio nuts into the dates, and wrap strips of apricot around dates before wrapping with bacon. Cut bacon strips into thirds; wrap each bacon piece around a date. Place bacon-wrapped dates, seam side down, on a baking sheet. Broil until bacon is crisp, turning once, 6 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels; serve warm.

 

Spicy Pecans

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large egg whites
• 5 cups (20 ounces) pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, and sugar.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk egg whites until foamy. Whisk in spice mixture. Stir in pecans Spread coated pecans in a single layer onto the baking sheets. Bake for about 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees. Rotate the sheets in oven, and cook for 10 minutes more.
3. Immediately spread pecans in a single layer on clean parchment paper; let cool before serving or storing. (Pecans will keep, in an airtight container, up to 1 week at room temperature.) 

 Source Martha Stewart Living