What You'll Need:

• 20 large, pitted Medjool dates
• 8 oz fresh goat cheese, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
• ¼ teaspoon finely minced fresh rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 4th & Heart Ghee Spray
• 1 Tablespoons honey
• 1 Tablespoon very finely chopped pistachios

Instructions:

1. Arrange a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 400F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Using a small paring knife, carefully slice about halfway through each date, lengthwise, and gently pull the opening apart to make room for the filling. Arrange the dates cut-side up on the prepared sheet pan.
4. Add the goat cheese, orange zest, minced rosemary, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat the mixture together until creamy and smooth.
5. Use the tip of a butter knife to fill each date with 1-2 teaspoons of the goat cheese mixture, depending on size. Gently press the edges toward the center, and scrape away any excess filling. The dates do not need to be closed completely.
6. Spray the dates generously with ghee, then transfer to the oven.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the dates begin to caramelize around the edges. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
8. Remove from the oven, and set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, transfer the dates to a large plate or serving platter.
9. Drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Enjoy while warm!