According to Whole Foods, dates, tinned fish, kelp, yaupon, and pasta from produce are some of the food trends that we will be seeing a lot of in 2023. I can honestly say that I have never consumed dates, kelp, or yaupon, and I know that I can't be the only one. Over the next few weeks, let's see what these three 'new' foods have to offer.
- A 3.5 ounce serving of dried dates contains 7 grams of fiber, 40% of the Daily Value of Copper, and 15% of the DV of Potassium and Vitamin B6
- Dates are a great way to increase your fiber intake to help digestive health
- Dates are also high in antioxidants which helps fight diseases in the body.
- Eating dates can also improve brain function, including preventing Alzheimer's disease
Recipes:
Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates (ameessavorydish.com)
- 36 pitted Medjool Dates
- 36 whole unsalted Almonds
- 12 sliced Bacon cut into thirds
- Maple Syrup for drizzling
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Stuff dates with almonds and then wrap with a slice of bacon. Arrange on a wire rack sprayed with cooking spray over a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes. If you like the bacon a little more golden and crisp on top, turn on the broiler (watching carefully so they don’t burn, it won’t take long) and cook just long enough for the bacon to lightly brown.
While warm, drizzle with a little maple syrup, if desired. Serve with toothpicks warm or at room temperature.
Easy Stuffed Dates (acouplecooks.com)
- 24 Medjool Dates
- 4 ounces soft Goat Cheese
- 3 tablespoons Pistachios
- Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper
- Smoked Paprika
- Honey - Optional
- Use a knife to make a lengthwise slit into the dates, then remove the pits. Use a spoon to fill them with goat cheese.
- Crush the pistachios with a rolling pin.
- Top each with a tiny sprinkle of black pepper, sea salt and the tiniest bit of smoked paprika (just a tiny sprinkle has big flavor). Sprinkle on pistachio dust. If desired, add the tiniest drizzle of honey (again, use a small amount to heighten the flavor; too much and it overwhelms).
Gramma's Date Squares (allrecipes.com)
- 1 1/2 cups Rolled Oats
- 1 1/2 cups sifted Pastry Flour
- 1 1/3 cups packed Brown Sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 3/4 cup Butter, softened
- 3/4 pound pitted dates, diced
- 1 cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Combine oats, pastry flour, 1 cup brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Mix in butter until crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan.
Combine dates, water, and remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook until thickened. Stir in lemon juice, and remove from heat. Spread the filling over the base, and spread the remaining crumb mixture on top.
Bake in the preheated oven until the top is lightly toasted, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool before cutting into 12 squares.
