Recipe Roundup: A Date I’ll Never Forget
By Susan of Food Blogga
I always thought dates were unloved Christmas food. Those sad, dry brown fruits stuffed with an almond and dusted with confectioners’ sugar never stood a chance against Christmas cookies and cakes.
My feelings towards dates changed significantly a few years ago. A farmer at the Santa Monica farmers’ market handed me a sample. I took it, thanked him, and walked on. After one bite, I turned around and headed straight for his table where I bought a pound of the biggest, softest, sweetest dates I had ever tasted.
Medjool dates, which are in season from late September through December, are considered the king of dates. Medjools are deep amber-brown and have a slightly crinkly skin that glistens from the fruit’s natural sugar crystals. The tender, sticky flesh tastes like rich caramel with hints of wild honey and a touch of cinnamon. Simply put, they are luscious.
Whether you buy fresh Medjool dates at the farmers’ market or dried ones from the grocery store, be sure to enjoy them this holiday season, because like Christmas, they only come once a year.
Make your breakfast special by swapping your tired bowl of cold cereal for a freshly baked treat. The Wednesday Chef offers wholesome Sweet Potato Muffins studded with moist Medjool dates. Or try my Lemony Medjool Date and Pomegranate Scones; these sweet-tart scones are low in fat yet high in flavor and make a great addition to any brunch. For a fast, healthy breakfast on-the-go, try my Date and Banana Breakfast Shake.
When it comes to savory dishes, Medjool dates make ideal appetizers. The Bitten Word’s simple yet sophisticated Asiago-Stuffed Dates with Bacon and Smoked Paprika would no doubt be the star of any cocktail party. You could also serve chips with ChileFire.com’s fiery Spicy Date Chutney that is made with chipotle chiles and comes with a warning: Not for the faint of heart.
Medjool dates can elevate simple salads and vegetables to something elegant. The Traveler’s Lunchbox offers a Seafood Socca (a chickpea pancake) that is topped with a Date-Orange Salad, Spiced Honey Sauce, and Crème Fraiche. It’ll be sure to excite your palette. For another flavorful salad, try my Dandelion, Persimmon, and Medjool Date Salad which combines bitter, tangy, and sweet flavors of autumn all in one simple dish. Medjool dates pair well with winter squash and sweet potatoes. For a brightly flavored side dish, try my Roasted Acorn Squash with Medjool Dates and Toasted Almonds that is seasoned with fresh parsley and lemon zest. Next time you make chicken try the WHOLE Gang’s inspired Roasted Whole Chicken with Dates and Caperberries.
Although wonderful in savory dishes, Medjool dates seem destined for sweeter things. Cook Almost Anything Once shares a remarkably easy recipe for Medjool Date Clafoutis made with mascarpone cheese and almond meal. Another easy winning recipe is The Cooking Photographer’s Chewy Medjool Date-Nut Pie made with a store bought crust for a real time-saver. For something more decadent, try Gina DePalma’s Chocolate and Date Pudding Cakes posted at Serious Eats. They’re called “pudding cakes” because of their “very gooey must-use-a-spoon quality.”
Of all the sweets to choose from, cookies are probably the most popular and easiest, and there is no shortage of recipes from which to choose. One Hot Stove’s Date Nut Slices are unique because they’re laced with fragrant cardamom and toasted sesame seeds. For a healthy yet delicious cookie, try Spiced Oats and Date Cookies from Sunita’s World, which are made with whole wheat flour, honey, and flaxseed. If time savers are what you’re looking for then make these Simple No-Cook Sesame Date Bites with savory tahini paste from Veggie Meal Plans. Or try Fat Free Vegan’s impossibly simple Cherry Nut Date Balls, which would make an ideal holiday gift.
So whether you have a warm breakfast scone, a sexy cocktail party appetizer, or a freshly baked cookie, you’ll soon discover that Medjool dates taste delicious any time of the day.
You can find more delectible date recipes from all over the internet on the FoodieView Recipe Search Engine.
Susan Russo lives in Southern California where she is addicted to local farmers’ markets. She publishes stories, recipes and photos on her cooking blog, Food Blogga, and is a regular contributor to NPR’s Kitchen Window.ß








































































