Dates are the energy-dense fruit of the date palm tree, renowned for their chewy texture and distinct taste.
The naturally sweet, caramel-like flavour pairs well with various ingredients, including nuts, nut butter, goat cheese, meat, dark chocolate and other fruits, making them the perfect snack or hors d’oeuvre.
One home-cooking enthusiast has crafted an easy and unique recipe for Medjool dates – roasting and stuffing them with a blend of sweet and savoury foods.
Food blogger Adeline, who goes by the alias ‘Nana’s Kitchen’ online, revealed her quick 25-minute formula for the dish, which she said is one example of “entertaining made simple”.
The stuffed dates are made with eight items you likely already have at home: cheese, herbs and spices, nuts, citrus, and oil.
Method
First, set the oven to 190C and allow it to preheat while you prepare the dates.
Use a small kitchen knife to slice each date lengthwise, taking care not to cut all the way through. Then gently open each date in the slit and stuff with one to two teaspoons of softened goat cheese.
Now arrange the stuffed dates in a 9×9-inch baking dish or circular cake pan and proceed to the walnut mixture.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, minced rosemary, one teaspoon of orange zest, and two teaspoons of freshly squeezed orange juice.
Add the ground cinnamon, sea salt, and olive oil to the small bowl and stir until combined.
Top each of the goat cheese-stuffed dates with a generous spoonful of the topping, taking care not to spill it.
Carefully transfer the prepared dates to the hot oven and leave to bake for 15 minutes until the topping is warmed.
Remove the dates from the oven and let them rest for five minutes before serving. For a final finishing touch, place the dates on a serving platter and drizzle with heated honey.
Adeline suggests eating the dates while they’re still warm for the best results.
