Foodie Friday - It's a Date!

It's Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum.  Thanks to Michael for hosting this weekly event, and check out all the other participants' posts.  My entry for today's FF centers around dates!  I love them.  They're sweet and chewy and add wonderful flavor and texture to any recipe.  Not able to decide on a favorite recipe using them, I opted for my two favorites.  Both of these were childhood favorites.

The first is Date-Nut Bread.  I think my grandmother actually used to make this.  I know my mom still makes it.  It's delicious, a perfect accompaniment to a turkey dinner - to any dinner!  Date-Nut Bread is wonderful alone, buttered, or (my favorite) with cream cheese!

 Date-Nut Bread

1-1/2 cups chopped dates
1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2-1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (I use either pecans or walnuts)

In a small bowl, pour the boiling water over the dates and let cool.

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Grease a standard loaf pan (or 3 mini loaf pans).

Mix shortening, brown sugar, and eggs.  Add cooled date mixture.

Combine flour, salt and baking soda, and stir into date mixture.  Stir in nuts.  Pour batter into prepared pan(s).  Bake standard-sized loaf for 60 - 70 minutes, mini loaves for about 40 - 45 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack.

My other favorite date recipe is Date-Nut Balls.  My brother was just talking the other day how much he loves these confections and hadn't had them since we were kids.  Perfect!  I can make them and give them away, which is a little kinder to my hips (and my hips need all the kindness they can get!!)

Date-Nut Balls

1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 cups chopped dates
1-1/2 cups chopped nuts
2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
shredded coconut

Combine butter, sugar and egg into a saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in dates, nuts, and cereal.  Form into balls, squeezing mixture together.  Roll in coconut.