Ingredients

• 1/2 pound chorizo
• 1/3 cup bread crumbs
• 36 pitted dates
• 36 toothpicks, soaked in water for at least 20 minutes

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Heat a medium skillet over medium high heat. Add the chorizo and cook thoroughly for 5 minutes. Stir several times a minute.
3. Transfer the chorizo to a cool bowl and stir in the bread crumbs.
4. Use a paring knife to make a lengthwise slice down one side of each date. You should end up with dates that you can open up, somewhat like a book.
5. Spoon ½ teaspoon chorizo into each date.
6. Secure with a pre-soaked toothpick.
7. Spread out on a baking sheet and bake at 375 F until some of the dates begin to blister, about 12-15 minutes.
8. Serve hot or warm.