Dates!

[Lucinda]

Another one of those mediterranean flavors that I am craving lately.
I've been getting chopped dates and just snacking, or throwing a handful into salads or oatmeal, but I'd like to play around with some new recipes.

Do you have any favorite ways to use dates? Sweet, or savory!

?

[yellerpup]

1. This!

Francesco Clemente's Hot Sauce

Ingredients:
10 fresh or dried dates, pitted, cut into chunks
4 plum tomatoes, seeded, with the juice squeezed from them
13 ounces pickled chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Instructions:
In a blender or processor, combine all the ingredients and blend until they make a thick paste. Pour into a deep saucepan, and cook over medium-low heat for about 5 to 6 minutes, adding 1/4 cup of water halfway though and stirring. Cool and then store in an airtight glass jar.

Makes about 3 1/2 to 4 cups

Outstanding condiment to use making enchiladas or as a spoon-over sauce for tamales. I can't go very long between batches with this stuff.

[GoCubsGo]

2. All by themselves.

Nature's candy. Even better if stuffed with almonds.

[cbayer]

3. Stuffed with cream cheese or some other soft cheese.

We stopped at Shield's Date Garden in Indio, CA at the beginning of our trip. It was really cool and they had a movie on the sex lives of dates which was fascinating.

Anyway, they sold delicious date shakes.

[Callalily]

4. Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Blue Cheese

Although I don't make these often, they are super yummy. Just be careful of the wine pairing - it really makes a difference.

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Blue Cheese

Dates are stuffed with blue cheese, wrapped in bacon and baked until crisp. These are delicious and very easy to make for a party. You can serve them at room temperature, so it is okay to make a few hours in advance!


1 pound sliced bacon, cut in half
1 pound pitted dates
4 oz. blue cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Slice dates in half, and open them up. Pinch off pieces of blue cheese, and place them into the center of the dates. Close the halves of the dates, and wrap a half-slice of bacon around the outside. Secure each one with a toothpick. Arrange in a baking dish or on a baking sheet with sides to catch any grease.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bacon is crisp. Turn dates over after the first 20 minutes for even cooking.

[DrDan]

5. pit the date and stick an almond inside - and enjoy

[PADemD]

6. Oatmeal Date Bars

My grandmother used to make them for Christmas. They are very rich, high in calories, and time consuming to make, but so delicious. PM me if you want the recipe. It's rather long.

[one_voice]

7. I love dates...

just plain. I love figs too.

[pinto]

8. Toasted English muffin w/ peanut butter and chopped dates.

[Sentath]

9. An OLD (as in about 800 year old recipe) favorite

Hais

http://dream-designs.net/roxalana/?p=237

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/cariadoc/desserts.html