Pressed Stilton, Pear, Date, and Bacon Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 8 slices thick cut bacon, coarsely chopped
• 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 12 Medjool dates
• 1 Asian pear, scrubbed, cored, and sliced into 20 wedges
• 8 ounces Stilton or other blue cheese
• 4 pieces baguette, split in half lengthwise

Directions

1. Set a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon, stirring now and then, until it turns crisp and golden, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to move the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Pour the bacon fat into a bowl and save it.
2. Spread 1 teaspoon mustard on the cut side of each bottom piece of bread. Use your fingers to pull the pits from the dates and discard them. Press 3 dates onto each mustard-coated bread piece, gently flattening and spreading them with your fingertips. Scatter the bacon evenly over the dates. Lay 5 pear slices on top of the bacon, then add 2 ounces Stilton.
3. Place the remaining 4 baguette pieces over the cheese and press gently to close the sandwiches. Brush the reserved bacon fat over both sides of each sandwich. Return the now-empty skillet to medium heat and cook the sandwiches, pressing with a spatula, until the bread is golden and the cheese starts to melt, about 4 minutes per side. Serve. Alternatively, toast and heat the sandwiches in a panini press.