Stuffed Prunes for the Holidays

Ingredients

• 12 prunes, pitted
• 1/2 cup Burgundy wine
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 12 shrimp, uncooked
• 12 macadamia nuts
• Dijon mustard
• 6 slices lean bacon, cut in half

Directions

1. 1

   Pit prunes and let soak overnight in wine, bay, soy sauce, and garlic.

2. 2

   Set oven to broil and preheat.

3. 3

   Peel uncooked shrimp and stuff into prune with a macadamia nut and a dollop of mustard. Wrap in bacon, secure with toothpick and broil until bacon is crisp and shrimp is cooked, about 10 minutes. Watch carefully so that bacon and prune don't burn. If they look likey they are, set the rack lower down. Let cool and eat as an appetizer.

4. 4

   Eat slowly. Most people tend to eat too quickly. But food, to be enjoyed, needs time, just as a relationship does. Get acquainted with this recipe, one small bite at a time.