Coconut Walnut Bars

Make your own super simple coconut walnut bars with dried dates for a bit of sweetness.

Dátiles Con Tocino

Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese - a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and smoky.

Spiced Date Ice Cream

We were trying to use the cashew milk we bought since we didn't enjoy drinking it plain, and I didn't want it going to waste. With this weather and my love of chai, I thought about making a refreshing treat. I froze this spiced date mixture to ice cream, but I'm thinking it'd be even yummier as a smoothie. Yum! Or maybe even popsicles. :) Lots of possibilities! The recipe's not too sweet as written, so you might want to use more dates or add a bit of sweetener. I really liked all the spices mixed in, and I think this would taste even better with cream instead of cashew milk since the richness would serve as a perfect counter to the aromatic spices!

Do you prefer the lighter taste of cashew milk or the richer flavor of cream?

Spiced Date Ice Cream

by CJ Huang

Aromatic spices, frozen with cashew milk (or cream) and slightly sweetened with dates for one yummy spiced date ice cream!

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: none
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Materials:

Mass	Weight	Volume	Number	Material	Notes
		1 tablespoon		ginger, grated
		1/4 teaspoon		cardamom, ground
		1/4 teaspoon		cinnamon
		1/8 teaspoon		cloves, ground
42 grams	1.5 ounces	1/2 cup		coconut shreds
		1/2 teaspoon		pepper, ground
484 grams	17.125 ounces	2 cups		cashew milk	Substitute cream or half and half for a richer ice cream.
85 grams	3 ounces	1/2 cup	12	dates
		2 teaspoons		vanilla extract	or alcohol free vanilla extract

Methods:

	1. Gather all materials.
	2. Chop the dates. I've found chopping the dates on the coconut shreds solves the issue of the dates sticking to each other or the the knife.
	3. Combine cashew milk (or cream or half and half) with all materials except chopped dates and coconut shreds.
	4. Pour milk mixture into ice cream maker, following instructions. Add in chopped dates and coconut shreds towards the end of freezing time.

Shared with: Delicious Dishes, Wonderful Wednesday, Waste Less Wednesday, What's Cookin' Wednesday, Wednesday Showcase, Creative Ways, Pinworthy Projects, What's For Dinner? Sunday, Happiness is Homemade, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sustainable Sunday, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, What'd You Do This Weekend?, Turn It Up Tuesday

Smoky Almond Coconut Bars

As the weather warms, I'm noticing we go out exploring more often - whether on a new trail or just hanging out at the park. However, it also means we're not at home with easily accessible food. The solution? Granola bars. I like how customizable they are, and these are full of protein to help keep you from getting too hungry (or hangry, as the case may be). Initially, I made these granola bars for James since he didn't mind the smoked almonds. I didn't find them quite appetizing by themselves. We were also doing the whole "no added sugar" thing while he was at jumpmaster, so the bars he usually brings were out. I figured I could use the smoked almonds and make him some granola bars. Two birds and all. I threw in some dates for binding and sweetness and some coconut because it's yummy. After making these bars, I reluctantly tasted one. A blogger's gotta taste her own work after all. Now my tune's changed about those smoked almonds. I still doubt I'll eat them plain, but mixed into these granola bars? Delectable! I'm not sure if it's the dates or coconut or just the combo, but I'm definitely making these smoked almond coconut bars again! And! It's no bake, so no need to fire up the oven either!

What's a food you don't like, unless it's mixed with other foods?

Smoky Almond Coconut Bars

by CJ Huang

Smoked almonds formed into a sweetly savory granola bar with coconut shreds and dried dates. You've got to try these smoky almond coconut bars!

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: none
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: 5 servings

Materials:

Mass	Weight	Volume	Number	Material	Notes
56 grams	2 ounces	1/2 cup		smoked almonds
30 grams	1 ounce	3/8 cup		coconut shreds
44 grams	1.625 ounces		7	dried dates
		1 tablespoon		coconut oil
		1 tablespoon		water

Methods:

	1. Gather all materials.
	2. Process together the smoked almonds and coconut shreds.
	3. Add in remaining materials and process until desired consistency reached.
	4. Press into foil lined container, remove from container, and cut into bars.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Medjool Dates

Roasted butternut squash, mashed with caramelized onions, with some chopped Medjool dates mixed in.

Caramelized Onion and Date Flatbread

We recently got some Medjool dates. I had heard about how tasty they are, and James had eaten them before, so when we spotted some at the grocery store, we knew we had to get some. Medjool dates, also known as the "king of dates," contain a relatively high amount of flesh, and they tend to be very sweet. However, they contain a lot of fiber, as well as potassium, manganese, magnesium, and copper. Near the dates, we found some recipes that looked good, so I thought I could start off with one of those recipes. This recipe is somewhat similar to the Roasted Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Pizza, but using different materials. Most obviously, I used fresh dates instead of roasted butternut squash. Also, instead of the Garlic Herb Pizza Crust, I made some basic flatbread. This flatbread perfectly combines the sweet Medjool dates with the savory caramelized onions.

Which dates are your favorite? What's the best way to enjoy them?

Caramelized Onion and Date Flatbread

by CJ Huang

Sweet Medjool dates, baked with caramelized onions and rosemary on flatbread, topped with cheese.

Materials:

Mass	Weight	Volume	Number	Material	Notes
		1 handful		Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
				onions, caramelized
				cheese, shredded	I used Jack.
				rosemary, chopped
				flatbread

Methods:

1. Spread cheese and caramelized onions over flatbread.
2. Sprinkle dates and rosemary on top.
3. Bake at 350F until cheese melted.