You can make the goat cheese filling one day ahead and refrigerate it. These hors d’oeuvres can be assembled several hours before serving. Loosely cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 hours. Bring to room temperature before serving.

　　

Ingredients

makes 16

　　4 ounces soft goat cheese

　　3 tablespoons shelled salted pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped

　　1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish

　　Freshly ground pepper

　　8 plump, soft dried dates (preferably Medjool), pitted and halved lengthwise

　　

Step 1

Stir together the goat cheese, 2 tablespoons of the pistachios, and the chives in a small bowl until smooth. Season with pepper.

　　

Step 2

Arrange the dates, cut side up, on a platter. Fit a pastry bag with a large round tip, and fill it with the goat cheese mixture. Pipe the mixture onto each date half to cover. (Alternatively, pipe the goat cheese mixture using a resealable plastic bag with 1 inch cut from one corner, or simply spread the mixture on the dates with a butter knife.) Garnish the dates with the remaining tablespoon pistachios and more chives.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group.Buy the full book from Amazon.