As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for more details.
After David and I had been engaged for about six months, I went vegetarian. And that’s when I started eating bacon wrapped dates… at Fatty’s vegetarian cafe in Eagle Rock, California.
Fatty’s was a restaurant in a repurposed space that used to be an automobile service station. The large door where cars rolled in for muffler replacement and tire rotation was sealed shut. Tables were scattered alongside it.
Inside there were twinkling Christmas lights strewn across the front window in a space that felt romantic and airy. It was even kind of formal for a place that used to focus on motor oil instead of olive oil.
In the days when our most beloved group activity involved crooning our karaoke favorites (Blaze of Glory for David, Baby Got Back or Rollout for me), going to Eagle Rock ticked all of the boxes.
We’d hit up Fatty’s for dinner and order from their “monstrous little plates” to start. They’d bring out bacon wrapped dates made with vegetarian bacon and jack cheese. Then an order of Mexican potato skins.
For dinner, David would order the ravioli. I would get mousacca or their roasted vegetable salad.
Then we’d head down the street to All Star Lanes to meet up with friends for karaoke in their bar.
Walking into the bowling alley was like walking back in time to the 1970’s. The scoring had to be done by hand. And the bowling balls returned on top of the lanes, instead of underneath, for their retrieval.
In addition to bowling, they had an adjacent Chinese restaurant. And a bar with karaoke, where you could sing to your heart’s content, without worrying that your name wouldn’t get called before closing time.
After we went vegan, Fatty’s fell to the wayside in lieu of the many new vegan restaurants we wanted to try. We still visited Fatty’s now and again, but their options for vegans were a bit more limited.
The dates were off the list since they’re made with dairy-based cheese.
The Mexican potato skins were retired.
Even karaoke lost the luster that it once had. All Star Lanes did a remodel taking their 70’s décor to the 80’s.
And after that, we moved far away from our favorite karaoke joint/bowling alley/Chinese restaurant. Fatty’s has since closed.
Vegan bacon wrapped dates
Even so, there’s no reason that I can’t revisit those flavors of the old days with some bacon wrapped dates of my own.
They’re made with chewy Upton’s seitan bacon on the outside. They are filled with my go-to cashew cheese, which you may remember from my Stuffed Squash Blossom posts.
The recipe is written using a full package of the bacon, but you could certainly just make 4 or 6 dates or whatever you desire.
The cheese makes more than you’ll likely need for the dates, but it freezes well. So you can keep it for your next date-making occasion. Simply remember to thaw it before you’ll need it.
(You could try making a smaller amount of cashew cheese, but it can be difficult in a food processor to process the cheese until it is smooth if it is below the blade.)
These dates are great for a dinner party, since you can do all of the cheese-making, date-filling, and bacon-wrapping ahead of time. Just excuse yourself from your guests for a few minutes to give them a quick fry (the dates, not your guests), and you’re good to go.
Vegan bacon wrapped dates
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw cashews soaked in water overnight
- 1 Tablespoon white miso paste
- 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 40 pitted dates
- 1 package Upton’s Naturals seitan bacon (or 8 ounces of your favorite vegan bacon)
- Organic canola or vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Start by making the cashew cheese. Drain the cashews and put them in the food processor with miso paste, nutritional yeast flakes, and extra-virgin olive oil. Blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides, add the chopped fresh basil, and continue to blend until fully combined. (The cheese will be very thick and paste like. That is a good thing, because it will stay in the dates and not ooze out during the frying process.)
- Slice each date down the center long-ways, being careful not to cut all the way through it. Using a spoon, put a generous amount of cashew cheese into each date.
- Open the package of Upton’s seitan bacon, and slice as many pieces of bacon as you’ll need down the center long-ways, making two equal pieces for each strip of bacon. (The amount of strips vary slightly in each package. There are about 20 strips of bacon in every package, and so ideally one package will be enough for 40 dates.) Roll each date in its own half-strip of bacon, securing it with a toothpick through the center.
- Heat oil in a non-stick skillet to a medium heat with enough to fully cover the bottom, about ¼ inch. When the oil is hot enough to easily bubble around the dates when added to the skillet, shallow fry them for 3-5 minutes. (If necessary, fry in batches so that the pan isn't overcrowded.) Move the dates as needed, so that every side gets evenly fried.
- Once they are evenly browned, put the dates on a towel-covered plate to drain. Remove the sticks from the dates if desired, move them to a serving platter, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Annie says
Salty, sweet AND cheezy? Even I might feel compelled to belt out a few songs!
Cadry says
I know! It hits all of the pleasure sensors. I can’t wait to hear your song stylings! 😉
gigiveganville says
what do you call a nostalgic bowling alley? Memory Lanes. Bahahah. Contrary to what most people think I have never sung karaoke but I used to go to a karaoke place and watch thespians get drunk while I ate all their check mix. Your Upton bacon wrapped dates would have been a better choice for sure.
Cadry says
Ha! I love wonderfully bad puns. I’m so surprised that you’ve never sung karaoke! It’s definitely worth doing once. You should give it a shot sometime! Don’t worry. I won’t make you eat any Chex Mix first. 🙂
Anna says
Mmm, I love sweet and savory together. Those look scrumptious!
Cadry says
Yes, the combination of sweet, salty, chewy, and creamy really ticks all of the boxes! Thanks, Anna!
Susmitha - Veganosaurus says
Wheee! I love karaoke! So much fun! 🙂 We don’t have many places where we can do that here but when I first moved to NY, I made my cousins take me to so many Karaoke Nights. Really got my full of drunk singing. Haha
I’ve been really really enjoying reading all your stories, Cadry. 🙂
Cadry says
What are your favorite songs to karaoke? It’s always fun to know the songs people return to when it’s their turn to sing.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the stories! Thanks, Susmitha!
Kylie - FotV says
I can’t fry my guests??? 😉
I love karaoke too, but will only do private room because I would not want to subject the general public to my horrible, horrible singing voice!
Cadry says
Yeah, I’m sorry I had to put the kibosh on people frying their guests. Not vegan. 😉
We used to get a private room for birthdays and whatnot at some karaoke places in Korea Town. As much fun as that is, I think watching strangers sing is one of the most fun parts of karaoke. You learn so much about a person when they’re up onstage belting out their favorite tunes. I’m sure your voice is lovely!
Caitlin Galer-Unti (@caitlingu) says
Porn Star Karaoke? Sounds interesting! I really love the stories that go along with all your posts, and this one made me laugh. 🙂
Cadry says
It sounds a lot more interesting than it is in actuality! One time we ended up there on accident when we were taking my cousin from out of town to go karaoke. We didn’t realize it was porn star night until we got there, and then it felt awkward to be there with my cousin! They market it that it’s for people in the porn industry, but it seems like most of the people who are there just want to gawk. One thing is for certain, though, the marketing works. It was packed that night!
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the stories and that this one made you laugh! I can only imagine the Google searches that are going to bring people here now! 🙂
Ashley F. says
Wow – those look amazing! Will definitely have to make these for some of our football parties!
Cadry says
Thanks, Ashley! They would be great for a football party. It makes me want to have a gathering of some sort just to have an excuse to serve them!
veganmiam.com says
Wow, that sound so yummy!
Cadry says
Let’s just say I had no problem finishing them! 🙂
Jackie at Vegan Yack Attack says
Haha I love that story! Karaoke and bowling are some of my favorite things to do. Aside from eating, of course. And these dates.. Lady, these dates look SO good. I would probably eat a whole recipe to myself. Oopsies.
Cadry says
David was disappointed that the second time I made them he wasn’t home to have any. Curious that… 😉
Hannah says
Oh dear lord. You’re on your way over with a plate of these right now, aren’t you? AREN’T YOU?!
Cadry says
I’d better find my passport!
angieeatspeace says
Standing ovation for this recipe!
Cadry says
Yay! Thanks a bunch!
Johanna GGG says
Amazing recipe – wonder if it would work with tofu bacon – I’ve never found a packaged veg bacon but tofu does it for me. Wish I had restaurants like that around me – actually I probably do – wish I could get out to restaurants of an evening – though I would skip the karaoke – but love hearing your memories
Cadry says
Would you believe I’ve never made tofu bacon? I’ve been eyeing a tofu bacon recipe over at Cookbook Aficionado for the longest time, but somehow I still haven’t made it happen. If you try it with tofu bacon, let me know!
Admittedly, I would probably skip the karaoke these days as well! I think it’s been at least three years since I’ve sung a song at a karaoke bar!
Joey says
Karaoke fills me with fear! it’s like standing up and asking people to laugh at you (or is that just my experience?!) I can get behind the dates though!
Cadry says
We’ll just stick with the dates then! 🙂
Maggie Muggins says
I’m not sure I would go along with the karaoke but bowling I can get down with. A friend always serves a very non-vegan version of these at parties, I’ve always wondered what the sweet and salty flavours would be like together, now I can find out!
Cadry says
It has all kinds of sweet/salty, crisp/chewy/creamy action going on. Let me know if you try them!
Bobbie {the vegan crew} says
These look and sound delightful, with a great balance of flavors and textures. And ever since we tried Upton’s seitan bacon this summer, I’ve been looking for more ways to use it. I can’t wait to make these the next time we entertain!
Cadry says
Isn’t it terrific? David emailed our local grocery store, and they agreed to carry it. Otherwise, we were picking it up whenever we were near a Whole Foods and stocking up. (The closest one is two hours away!)
Let me know if you make them for a gathering! So far I’ve only gotten to share them with David, but I’m looking forward to serving them at our next party.