Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Medjool Dates

My sister-in-law turned me on to these decadent treats! O.K., so maybe they are mostly sugar but I can think of a lot of reason why they are good for someone with Celiac. Dates are full of phosphorus, calcium and Vitamin A (helpful in absorbing calcium) and they are loaded with iron. Mine are repackaged locally by my grocer and the label says they are processed in a plant where there is wheat. As soon as I get home, I open the package and wash them really well and put them in my own container. I love to eat them as desert but recently I discovered stuffing them with a small cube of good Parmesan, wrapping them in bacon and roasting them in the oven renders the best treat ever. I don't have a photo to share but trust me these are really good. You can make how ever many you want.

Half the dates width wise and remove the pit.

Stuff a small piece of good Parmesan cheese into each half, you can eyeball the size. You want enough to notice the cheese, if the piece is too small it will simply disappear.

Wrap each stuffed date in about 1/3 a piece of bacon (I like Nueskes) secure with a toothpick.

Cook in a 450 degree oven for about 7 minutes, turn the dates and cook another 7 minutes or so, until the bacon is done. You can assemble these a day ahead if you want and store in an airtight container until your ready to cook.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Have you tried different types of dates and like the medjool best? I always look at the dates, but don't know which to get to eat vs. cook with. If I buy, I end up with these dry, hard things, which I could use in baking, I suppose. I also have heard about date sugar, which I think you can make from the dry dates (in a food processor) -- any more date info and recipes, please share!