One woman's foray into cooking for herself, for her family, and for her friends. It's not always picture-perfect, sometimes a little messy,
but it's always delicious. Join me in exploring new recipes, savoring the "résultats" and learning from the "erreurs".



Friday, October 23, 2009

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.

21 comments:

Allison Shops said...

Looks delicious! I love coconut. Thanks for stopping by AtticMag.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Both are wonderful recipes. They look delicious.

Unknown said...

I love date bread for the holidays and those cookies are an adding bonus. Geri

Nancy Jane said...

Always nice to find another date lover! Sometimes I buy them and they don't make it into the recipe. How do you feel about figs??? :)

Michelle said...

Gorgeous bread and I love that platter too! The Date Coconut Balls are so pretty!

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

Thanks all for your kind comments!

Nancy Jane, I love figs, too! You might be interested in this post: http://allthatsplatters.blogspot.com/2009/05/saucisson-chocolat-figues-et-pistaches.html.

Thibeault's Table said...

Lori, you have brought back some fond memories. My grandmother made Date and Nut loaf and I loved it with just butter on it. Yours looks perfect.

Queen B. said...

oooooooooo how totally creative !!!!!!!! YUM!!

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

I've never used dates in baking. Looks yummy.

Alicia said...

Oh my gosh, that date nut bread looks delicious! I'm baking pumpkin bread this weekend. Hope it turns out as well as your bread.

xinex said...

Hubby loves coconut so I'm going to make the balls. Yummy, and thanks!!...Christine

Zurin said...

the cake looks great. So wholesome and chunky. I love loaf cakes that look as generous as that :) And the date balls were so dainty! It reminded me of one of my posts for pandan truffles because of the coconuts shreds and I immediately clicked on ur photo at food with style. it must be delicious! tq for sharing the recipe.:))

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Hi Lori, oh you've hit upon two favorites of mine, too! They look scrumptious ~ and gorgeous pictures, too.

Thank you for sharing your recipes... yum! xo

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Hi Lori!
Both of these look awesome! The bread recipe is a lot easier than I thought it would be. I c/p them both to my recipe file!
I love dates too. One of my favorite quick treats is to slice the dates open and put a little bit of cream cheese in the middle and pop it in my mouth! LOL

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

Diann - me, too!! That's a quick, little decadent treat, isn't it?! ;D

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Both of these recipes look delicious. I usually buy the big tub of dates at Costco and then don't know what to do with them....now I do! Thanks!

Linda said...

Love dates and love what you posted my friend!
Beautiful pics!
L~xo

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

My mom used to make date nut bread and we also ate it with cream cheese! It has been a long time since I had it and your 2 recipes sound great and do-able!
Thanks for stopping by and I'm happy to visit your blog, too!
~Nancy

Natasha in Oz said...

Hi! Just read your last few posts and can't wait to come back and read some more! I love your blog and your recipes look so Yummy. I am so glad that you came by to visit my blog and thanks for leaving such a lovely comment-wonderful to "meet" you!
Best wishes, NM.

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

I want some of that date nut bread! Right NOW!!! Looks so delicious! Thanks for the great recipes!

Evi said...

Date-Nut balls are one of my favorites - your pics look so pretty and yummy. I'll have to make these this holiday season. Thanks for all your sweet comments about our little angel Sara.

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