From the Chef's Kitchen: Goat Cheese, Hot Honey and Bacon Dip

Snack fans everywhere will love this shared dish as much as residents of Siena Lakes, an Erickson Senior Living community in Naples, Fla.!

Ingredients:

• 6 slices of bacon

• 1 cup honey

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tbsp red pepper flakes

• 12 dates

• 1 apple

• 16oz creamy goat cheese, room temperature

• 8oz cream cheese, room temperature

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Sea salt

• French baguette

 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Dice apple, chop dates, and chop bacon. Place them all into a bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, combine honey, brown sugar, rosemary, red pepper flakes, and pinch of salt.

4. In the bowl with the apple, dates, and bacon, add half of the honey mixture and mix until coated.

5. Scatter onto a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, or until bacon is crispy.

6. Meanwhile, add goat cheese, cream cheese, olive oil, and a pinch of salt into a stand mixer and whip until smooth. 

7. Slice baguette and lightly coat with olive oil, add to a baking sheet, and bake until warm and crusty.

8. Spoon whipped goat cheese onto a platter and spoon the warm apples, dates, and bacon on top.

9. Drizzle with the remaining hot honey and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs. 

10. Serve the whipped goat cheese spread with the sliced baguette!