Spiced Dates With Mascarpone Cheese

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Fancy shmancy, but very easy to make. Very middleeastern/mediterranean! You can serve it as a fruity appetizer or as a dessert.

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Steps

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In a medium saucepan , bring the wine to a simmer.

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Add the dates and poach until the skins blister.

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With a slotted spoon , lift out the dates and , while warm , remove and discard the skins.

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Cut open the dates on one long side , remove the pits and place two almonds in the center of each date.

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Fold closed.

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To the wine , add the honey , peppercorns , cloves , orange zest , allspice , cinnamon sticks and bay leaf.

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Continue simmering until the wine is reduced by half , about 20 minutes.

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Strain wine into a clean saucepan.

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Add the dates to the wine and heat gently , over a medium low heat , until warmed through , but not hot , then remove from heat.

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To serve , place a dollop of mascarpone in the center of each of four plates.

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Spoon two dates and a little wine sauce on each plate , sprinkle lightly with sea salt and serve.

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Ingredients

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red wine, dates, almonds, honey, whole black peppercorn, clove, orange zest, allspice berries, cinnamon sticks, dried bay leaf, mascarpone cheese, sea salt