Valentine’s Day fan? Don’t give two flying ducks? – I’ve got you covered. Last-minute gift+printable: check. Healthy(ish) treat OR fancy dessert: check. Read on!
Dates are a staple in the vegan pantry. But to be honest, I’m not exactly loving them. There other other dried fruits that I prefer – cranberries, apricots, goji, mangos and apples. The only date recipe that I like are dates stuffed with marzipan. So let’s dance from here, shall we 😉
WHY DATES?
Because pitted dates are a no-brainer stuffing.
Because DATES!
And because in the universe of heart-shaped atrocities made of poor quality chocolate, processed sugar, transfats, colourings and flavourings a stuffed, chocolate-covered date is as good as it’s addictive!
Dates are a great source of potassium, fibre, and trace elements. Of course it’s also a source of carbs but the glycemic index is, depending on the date variety, somewhere between 30 and 50 – which is more than okay for a dessert.
FANCY A DATE… FILLED WITH VEGAN ORANGE CURD?
Sweet date, bittersweet vegan orange curd – lovely as is.
Buf drizzle some melted bitter chocolate on top, sprinkle with coconut flakes, or sesame seeds, or white poppy seeds, with chocolate nibs or crushed cashews, and here’s finger food, simple and super addictive!
Serve cooled.
Serve on its own for starters, as a dessert, with dark oriental coffee, or as a side for, say, vanilla ice cream.
FANCY A DATE… FILLED WITH HAZELNUT CREAM?
Sweetened, melting nut butter makes a to die for stuffing for dates!
You can make it yourself of buy ready-made (I chose a vegan, organic and fair-trade certified one by Rapunzel).
It’s a no-brainer really.
After you fill the dates, make sure to refrigedate them before you cover them with chocolate, otherwise the hot choc will melt the nut butter and cause a delicious, albeit nasty mess.
Such an exciting bite: crisp chocolate. Firm date. Soft nut cream!
Not too sweet, and great as a gift. Speaking of which…
“FANCY A DATE?” – WHO SAID VALENTINE? WHAT VALENTINE? A DATE! A STUFFED DATE!
In the best cinematic traditions, we start with a colourful close-up.
And then a dramatic close-up.
Move a bit.
Tadaa! Cellophane bag + white sandwich paper + date + ribbon + “fancy a date” tag (use double-sided scotch):
Oh, yes, I’ve drawn this “fancy a date” visual, all old-fashioned and either colourful or nihilistically chalky just for you guys. Like so:
And here are your instructions to the easiest and even healthy snack that also makes a funny Valentine treat, both handmade and beautiful = awesome:
CLICK TO GET THE PDF.
HAPPY SNACKING, GIVING, ENTERTAINING, WHATEVER THE DAY!
xo
adorable!
we love dates.
so YSL – 1970s – caftans – quiet lazy late afternoons with some slightly dodgy poetry in translation in the shade – a silver tray of dates and orange segments.
mmmh, yes please. and nana mint tea, and loukoum cubes.
most excellent middle eastern references dear friend.
moves veil aside to the sound of tinkling bells and watches sunset over the mosque.
Very mouth-watering 🙂 Anyway, dates do have lots of calories, don’t they?
as I said:
“Of course it’s also a source of carbs but the glycemic index is, depending on the date variety, somewhere between 30 and 50 – which is more than okay for a dessert.”
so, no: I wouldn’t make dates my daily diet or advise someone to do so, obviously, but I do consider them way healthier than anything store-bought with transfats, industrial sugar, wheat, aroma, etc. etc. etc.
Thanks! This is a quite low glycemic index indeed
yup, everything <50 is considered low! 😉
Delicious snacks and definitely a sweet gift for V-Day!!! I have to admit though…. when I read the title…. I did think to myself as well as Sonja did, who I would fancy a date with? LOL
hehehe 🙂 that was the purpose of that title!
i read your article title and the first thing I thought was “I sure would! A date with Nath would be so much fun” 😉
Hehehe.
The downside of that post is: I’m STILL (!) nibbling at those nasty little goodies. Right now – with a glass of my vegan/histamine-free Merlot while taking a stroll through the snowy plains of Skyrim 😀
see? perfect date 😉
Great! What chocolate did you use to drizzle over the top?? 🙂
Rapunzel, Rapunzel (couverture). Wanted to give them a try, because totally loving their nut spreads. Nomnom.
I LOVE A DATE. I LOVE DATES. You have just made them even more delicious; didn’t think that was possible, but you did it.
I’m glad I did. and I must admit: both recipes actually make dates a delicacy. way better than “normal” chocolates. think I will experiment with more fillings and “coatings” 😉
I like them with a simple almond inside but that is being very plain!
plain – no. but maybe try to soak the almonds overnight in advance (rinse well before using): they will be softer and much sweeter AND our body can process all the goodies better.
Oh okay. First I have to get the dates. My son keeps eating my supply of dates and not replacing them 😀
you need a hiding spot for your dates… and maybe a door sign that says “no pitted dates? enter at own risk!” 😉
LOL! I need a new hiding place. He has found all the old ones!