Using Dates for a date...

Dates are a healthy substitute for white sugar in recipes due to their sweet taste, nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants.

Dates may be helpful for lowering inflammation and preventing plaques from forming in the brain

Dates contain several types of antioxidants that may help prevent the development of certain chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.

Getting enough fiber is important for your overall health. With almost 7 grams of fiber in a 3.5-ounce serving, including dates in your diet is a great way to increase your fiber intake and benefits your digestive health by preventing constipation. Furthermore, the fiber in dates may be beneficial for blood sugar control. Fiber slows digestion and may help prevent blood sugar levels from spiking too high after eating).

For this reason, dates have a low glycemic index (GI), which measures how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating a certain food.

Dates are worth adding to your diet, as they are both nutritious and delicious. Not to mention easy to store, versatile AND can turn your charcuterie board, dessert, and snack into an offering that showcases your culinary skills.  Do not mention how fast it is to make

Check out these amazing recipes featuring dates!

Stuffed Dates

Instructions

1. Pit your date and ....
2. Stuff the date with smooth peanut butter, top with an almond and some crunchy sea salt, and dip the bottom in chocolate. (vegan)
3. Stuff the date with a slice of brie and a pecan.
4. Stuff the date with goat cheese and some sun-dried tomato pieces, and top with basil chiffonade.
5. Wrap in prosciutto or bacon a grill

Broiled Fresh Figs and Dates

Ingredients

• 10 pieces of pancetta (or use bacon)
• 10 fresh figs
• 5 dates, cut in half lengthwise
• 1 cup Gorgonzola cheese
• 8 ounces Cream cheese
• oil for cookie sheet

Instructions

1. Cut pancetta into halves.
2. Remove the stems of the figs and cut in the figs in half.
3. Cream together the Gorgonzola and Cream cheeses.
4. Spread each fig half with 1 Tbs of the cheese mixture.
5. Top with a date half.
6. Wrap the fig-date with a piece of pancetta and secure with a toothpick.
7. Place on a lightly oiled cookie sheet.
8. Broil the figs until the pancetta begins to crisp.
9. Serve warm.

Broiled Dates

Ingredients

• 1 Tbs almonds, chopped
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp orange zest
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 8 large dates, pitted
• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 orange, sliced into 8 wedges
  
  

Instructions

1. Cream together the cream cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and brown sugar.
2. Mix the orange zest and almonds into the cream cheese.
3. Slit the dates but be careful not to cut all the way through.
4. Stuff the dates with the cream cheese mixture.
5. Place under a broiler and cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Allow to cool slightly.
7. Place the dates on a plate and decorate with the orange wedges.

Prepare ahead, dessert will be amazing with

• Sliced apples
• Purchase a Daiya frozen cheesecake
• Purchase Vanilla or Peanut Butter Ice cream

Lets be honest these caramel sauce are delicious with biscotti 

Carmel Sauce

• 1 cup pitted Medjool dates
• 1/2 cup coconut nectar or brown rice syrup
• 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla bean powder (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender.
2. Blend on high until very smooth and creamy. You can adjust the consistency by adding more coconut milk if it is too thick to pour easily.
3. It makes a lot, so keep the extra in an air-tight container in the fridge.

OR

2 ingredient Carmel Sauce

• 20 large, pitted dates (if not moist and sticky, soak in warm water for 10 minutes then drain)
• Water (to thin)
• 1 pinch sea salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Add pitted dates to a food processor or high-speed blender (in my experience, a food processor works best to get a creamy texture without having to add much water).
2. Pulse/mix on low until small bits remain. Then stream in hot water while the blender is on until a paste is made. You will need to scrape the down sides and encourage it along periodically.
3. Be sure to only add enough water to form a paste – too much and it will be too thin. Amount will depend on your machine and size/moistness of dates.
4. Leave as is or add a pinch of salt to enhance flavour (optional).

Will keep covered in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, and often more!