Manchego-Stuffed Dates

These are so simple and easy to make, but taste extraordinary!  Such a great way to entertain during the holidays when dates are easy to find!  If you want to assemble these a couple of days in advance you can, but wait for the honey and paprika until just before serving.

Manchego-Stuffed Dates

Ingredients

• 12 Medjool dates, split with pits removed
• 1/2 fennel bulb, sliced thin
• 4 - 6 oz. Manchego cheese
• 2 Tbsp. spicy honey
• sprinkle of paprika

Makes 12 dates

Julienne fennel into very thin strips; you could even shave the fennel with a very sharp vegetable peeler or use a mandolin.  You will need 12 slices of celery.
Thinly slice cheese into 12 slices roughly the same size as the celery.  Stuff each date with a slice of celery and a slice of Manchego and set on a platter.  
Drizzle stuffed dates with honey and sprinkle with paprika.  Serve immediately.