Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Preparation

To make the filling 

1. Place pepperoni on a 1/2 roasting tray and roast for 5-8 minutes at 400°F. Pepperoni should be cupped and crisped on the edges after roasting.
2. Set aside rendered fat and 1/4 of pepperoni for garnish.
3. Place the rest of pepperoni in the food processor, and mix for 20 seconds to make  ground, cooked pepperoni filling. 
4. Place in bowl in the refrigerator to cool for at least 15 minutes.

To make the marinara 

1. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil for 2 minutes on medium heat before adding chopped garlic. 
2. Add red pepper flakes before adding crushed pomodoro tomatoes. 
3. Turn the heat to low, and simmer the tomato sauce for 30 minutes before seasoning with salt and adding basil leaves. 
4. Remove from the heat and blend using an immersion  blender. 
5. Fill stuffed dates and cook.
6. Remove center pit from each date, by creating a slit in side of the dates. 
7. Using a teaspoon, gently fill the center of dates with pepperoni filling. 
8. Cut bacon to half of its length. Wrap the dates with smoked bacon and place with seam side down. If necessary secure the bacon wrap using a toothpick. 

To Serve 

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and add the stuffed wrapped dates to a saute pan, placing the pan in oven. 
2. Cook for 10-15 minutes until bacon is rendered and nicely browned. 
3. Add marinara sauce to pan and cook for 2 additional minutes in the oven. 
4. Add pepperoni and some of the pepperoni drippings  to pan to garnish. 
5.  Serve with warm slices of baguette.