Time for Dates!

 

We bought the next package in the first aisle at Costco today, and our very first recipe was definitely a success. I imagine the rest will be as well. We picked this recipe to start with in order to use up some leftover Berry Balsamic Dressing.

Spinach Date Salad

• 6 cups torn fresh spinach
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
• Raspberry or red wine vinaigrette 

Toss everything together and serve immediately.

A few years ago we were surprised to discover that Bacon-Wrapped Dates are actually quite delicious. So we made some more, and tried a few other appetizers using dates as well. Would you be surprised to learn that the chocolate-dipped ones were a favorite?

Date variations from left to right:

• Wrapped in bacon and deep-fried
• Stuffed with a walnut half and rolled in coconut flakes (which didn't stick)
• Filled with peanut butter and dipped in melted chocolate chips; sprinkle with sea salt
• Stuffed with pretzel bits and dipped in chocolate (What about peanut butter AND pretzels?)
• Filled with a slice of Brie and a pecan half
• Stuffed with a slice of Gouda (or Fontina) cheese wrapped in a basil leaf

Since we really like our Chocolate-Banana-Peanut Butter Fake-Shakes, I thought we'd like this following recipe. However, the dates tasted like someone chopped up some Twizzlers to add to the drink; they really didn't incorporate into something smooth. We'll use our dates in something else. Or maybe we'll give them one more chance after soaking them first.

Chocolate Date Smoothie

2 cups milk (regular or any nut milk)

4 dried dates, pitted

2 medium frozen bananas

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons almond or peanut butter

Put all ingredients into a blender and process until smooth.

And here's another salad recipe. I guess dates and spinach go well together! The dressing was quite tart, but we really liked it.

Spinach Salad with Dates

For the dressing, combine 1/3 cup canola oil, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 pitted dates, 1/4 teaspoon lemon peel (or 1 teaspoon fresh lime zest) and salt and pepper to taste in a blender or food processor, and process until creamy.

Top a bed of spinach with chopped dates and crispy shallot rings (fry sliced shallots in oil for 5-7 minutes, then drain on paper towels). Drizzle with dressing.