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Epicurious

Devils on Horseback

“Devils on Horseback” are an old Southern favorite, and it’s hard to believe how so much flavor can be packed into one little bite. We like to make a double batch whenever we’re having a family party; they fly off the plate so fast we can barely keep up! Luckily, they’re just as easy to make as they are to eat. There are several variations that are fun to try: for example, try substituting Parmesan for the blue cheese, or dates for the prunes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

24 large pitted prunes
1/2-pound block Danish blue cheese, cut into bite-sized cubes
9 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thirds
Toothpicks, soaked in water for 10 minutes
2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven, and preheat to 450 degrees F.

    Step 2

    Stuff each prune with a cube of blue cheese. Wrap a piece of bacon around each prune, covering the cheese so it can’t escape once baked. Use the toothpick to secure the bacon.

    Step 3

    Place the bacon-wrapped prunes on a sheet tray lined with a wire rack, and sprinkle with the smoked paprika.

    Step 4

    Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp. Let cool a few minutes before serving.

Image may contain: Pat Neely, Human, Person, Food, Meal, Restaurant, Cafeteria, and Buffet
Reprinted with permission from The Neelys' Celebration Cookbook by Pat and Gina Nelly. Copyright © 2011 by Pat and Gina Nelly with Anna Volkwein. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. Pat and Gina Neely are restaurateurs, best-selling authors, popular speakers, and hosts of the Food Network hit series Down Home with the Neelys. They recently opened their first New York City restaurant, Neely's Barbecue Parlor. They live with their daughters in Memphis, where they enjoy cooking at home with family and friends. Ann Volkwein is a best-selling food and lifestyle author based in New York City and Austin, Texas. Her previous books include: The Arthur Avenue Cookbook, Chinatown New York, Mixt Greens (with Andrew Swallow), and, with Guy Fieri: Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; More Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; and Guy Fieri Food.
TagsBritishEuropeanPruneDried FruitFruitBlue CheeseCheeseDairyBaconCured MeatMeatStarterSnackDinnerNut FreeGluten FreeQuickEasy5 Ingredients or FewerRoastCookbooks
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