LIBRA: Culinary Edition
Save the Dates
“It’s Easy (and Tasty) to Date Yourself”
Article + Recipe by Chef Candy Lesher, Instructor & Culinary Wellness Coach
Read time: 3 minutes plus recipe
You just have to laugh whenever you realize you've dated yourself (age-wise) by making some minor comment—like using the term ‘oleo’ instead of margarine. Or comparing someone to the nosy Mrs. Kravitz from the iconic television series Bewitched.
But being ‘dated’ can also mean you're enjoying one of nature's sweetest and oldest Mediterranean fruits. A fruit aligned with Libra’s love of balance as dates are delicious in both savory and sweet recipes. Grown on heat-loving date palms, their history is fascinating, their nutritional attributes are impressive, and their culinary contributions are legendary.
Dating Dates
Most historians trace the cultivation of dates back to 4000 BC Mesopotamia; as such, they are deeply significant biblically, being referenced in all three of the Abrahamic derived religions. Some even believe that the date palm was actually the referenced apple tree in the narrative of Adam and Eve.
Again, making a biblical acknowledgment—when referencing the “land of milk and honey” scholars now recognize that the honey reference was more than likely referring to a sweet syrup (Silan) made from dates, not the bee-derived version we associate with the term today.
In the mid 1960s, date seeds estimated to be 2,000+ years old were discovered in Masada, Israel. Then, amazingly, in 2005, a few viable ones were lovingly coached back to life. The resulting tree (a male) was aptly dubbed Methuselah—a nod to the oldest man mentioned in the Bible. This revered variety is alive and productive thanks to Hannah … an ancient female specimen (discovered just 10 years ago) that was successfully sprouted near Methuselah. Now, thanks to her partner’s pollen, she bears true Judean dates.
Fruit Fit for Royalty
Today in the U.S., the smaller cooking date known as Deglet Noor (meaning “Date of Light”) and the larger, more caramel-like buttery Medjool eating variety are the gold standards for date enjoyment.
If you're a date lover, then you owe a huge thank-you to the late agriculturist Walter Swingle who, in the 1890s, persuaded a local Moroccan leader to share his precious offshoots … which were planted in Coachella California, whence all U.S. date palms were ultimately cultivated.
Nutritionally, dates are much more than simply a tasty indulgence, they're packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber!
They compete with bananas for their potassium content, positively impacting blood pressure and kidney function.
For bone health, dates contain a good dose of both magnesium and manganese.
Each date offers a healthy 2 grams of fiber.
Using dates to replace table sugar is a pretty sweet—and smart—exchange.
But it's their culinary contributions that really set them apart. Not only do they have the ability to amp up your baking game when it comes to cookies, quick breads and candies, but also shine in bejeweled side dishes like saffron rice studded with date bits, or roasted Brussels sprouts glazed with date molasses.
Intoxicating Appetizers
One of my favorite uses for Medjool dates, though, is the appetizer tray. Splitting open this plump buttery fruit to remove the seeds, then stuffing them with any variety of tasty fillings before baking them to melting caramel-like goodness, has always left family and friends besotted.
Thus far, the top favorite Medjool date combinations are …
Carnivore style: Filled with spicy cooked chorizo, topped with a tiny wedge of nutty Manchego cheese, and then drizzled with fragrant thyme honey after baking.
Vegetarian delight: Loaded with a tangy blend of goat and cream cheese, baked, then topped with chopped roasted pistachios, and drizzled with a touch of citrus honey (or try pomegranate molasses for a scintillating change of pace).
Both ways are positively irresistible! They’re also a very satisfying nibble, so for party-planning purposes, you’ll only need to allow two pieces per person. I’m sharing my recipe for the carnivore style below.
Though dates are one of nature's most simplistic of fruits … they can become a mesmerizing and unique addition to your holiday table. Try adding them to your list of new and different experiences this season.
This is one time when a ‘date’ won't go sideways on you!
Insider Tip …
A note on date storage.
If you're fortunate enough to come across organic Medjool dates in bulk, I've found that one of the best ways to keep them moist and fresh is to layer them in a very large jar, with a piece of brown parchment between each layer. This prevents them from crystalizing like they do in the refrigerator, keeping the fruit moist and pliable for easy stuffing.
Chorizo Stuffed Dates
Main Ingredients …
12 large Medjool dates
half cup (approximately) spicy chorizo, cooked
12 pieces of Manchego cheese, cut into 1-inch squares (1/4-inch thick)
3 Tablespoons (approximately) thyme honey (or honey of choice), warmed
Optional: crushed roasted pistachios or toasted slivered almonds for garnish
Method …
Split open dates and remove the pits along with any blossom piece on the end.
Using a small spoon, pack each date 3/4 full with cooked chorizo. Press a piece of Manchego cheese onto the top.
Place stuffed dates on a lightly oiled, foil or parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350-degrees for 10 minutes (extra-large dates need 12 minutes total), or until cheese just shows signs of softening.
Remove from oven and cool briefly before transferring to your serving platter. Drizzle with honey and garnish as desired.
Enjoy!
~ Candy
As a Culinary Wellness Coach, Candy Lesher doesn't simply sit on the sidelines and coach, she's right in the game with her clients. As a chef she openly admits weight is an occupational health hazard, so she engages in that daily battle also. As a Stage III cancer survivor, she knows the importance of feeding your body the nutrients it needs to fight off illness—and function at its very best.
Connect with Candy on LinkedIn, visit her website at YourKitchenRX.com, or see her new Insta page: The Agoge Kitchen as she explores the route to recipe creation.
Cookbooks: Non-Fiction for Foodies
Tempted to explore more date recipes? Check out The California Date Cookbook—a collaborative assembly of 55 recipes created in partnership with California-based female food bloggers, authors, and photographers.
Logical Leanings … Quotes from the Scales
LIBRA season: Sept 24 - Oct 23
Coming next week …
LIBRA: Fantasy Romance Edition by LJ Longo
+ Scenes for the Senses: audio/visual watercolor art by Read Gallo
Publisher’s Note ~
Next month, in between the Scorpio and Sagittarius issues, we’ll be sending out Dharma Direction’s second Bonus Edition with fun new content including two audio versions of either Scorpio or Sagittarius pieces … one from Dharma’s snarky humorist Colleen Markley, and one from me all about connecting with Zodiac Angel energy.
REMINDER: FREE CONTENT will always be available on Dharma Direction. The free subscription encompasses each zodiac edition (Angel, Humor, Culinary, and Fantasy Romance) and is a gift we hope will keep on giving.
We look forward to offering regular monthly Bonus Editions for a nominal subscription rate beginning January 2024.
Until next time … #gowiththeflow
~ Debbie Abbott, publisher/editor