57 Comments / By Lisa Leake / April 30, 2012 / Recipes
9 Reviews / 5 Average
Bacon makes everything taste better ... especially these Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates. They make a simple and flavorful appetizer for any occasion. This recipe is from the Medjool Date website and it does not disappoint.
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This post has been brought to you byBard Valley Natural Delights Medjool Dates. They are part of theMediterranean Foods Alliance, which helps consumers discover the health benefits of Mediterranean foods. Tomorrow kicks offMediterranean Diet Monthso be sure to check out the details.
Maybe I used to be living under a rock, but before our switch to “real food” I had never before purchased or cooked with dates. And I am just being honest here, but it’s possible I didn’t even know what dates were.
Believe it or not Medjool dates are one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world, which means they are also a whole food, of course. :) And even here in North Carolina you can easily find fresh Natural Delights Medjool dates at several local grocery stores including Harris Teeter, some Lowe’s locations and soon Earth Fare as well.
The great thing about Medjool dates is that they are so sweet so they can basically act as a sweetener in recipes. And when you are avoiding refined sugar you start to get creative when it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth.
A few weeks after starting our “100 Days of Real Food” pledge a reader actually suggested a “chocolate torte/truffle” recipe to me (pictured) using Medjool dates, and looking back I honestly don’t think I would have survived our pledge without them! 
Chocolate Truffles Sweetened with Dates from 100 Days of Real Food
So today, I’d like to share three more recipes using Medjool dates in case you are new to this versatile sweet fruit as well. I do want to caution you though that even though the date seeds look like little pecans they are hard as a rock (pictured), so whatever you do be extra careful to remove the seeds first!
Medjool Date Seeds
Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates
Bacon makes everything taste better … especially these Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates. They make a simple and flavorful appetizer for any occasion. This recipe is from the Medjool Date website and it does not disappoint.
9 Reviews / 5 Average
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 6 minutes mins
Total Time: 16 minutes mins
Course:
Cuisine: American
Method: Freezer Friendly
Diet: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free
Print Recipe
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 1 lb Medjool dates
- 1 lb bacon (sliced)
- 6 oz nuts (minced (we used cashews, optional))
Instructions
Preheat the oven to broil.
Split one side of Medjool date lengthwise and remove pit.
Stuff with one teaspoon minced nuts. (Optional)
Wrap entire bacon strip around date and secure with toothpick. To prevent toothpicks from burning soak them in water for a few minutes first.
Place under oven broiler.
Turn once to ensure even cooking and drain well (about 3 minutes per side worked well in our oven). Serve warm / immediately.
Notes
*To make this Peanut/Tree Nut Free omit the optional nuts.
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1040Calories from Fat 603
% Daily Value*
Fat 67g103%
Saturated Fat 18g113%
Cholesterol 75mg25%
Sodium 757mg33%
Potassium 1268mg36%
Carbohydrates 97g32%
Fiber 11g46%
Sugar 75g83%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 210IU4%
Calcium 108mg11%
Iron 3.1mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Want weekly REAL FOOD meal plans made for you?→ Check It Out
Peanut Butter, Banana, and Medjool Date Pitas
A fun snack for the kids adapted from the Medjool Date website.
9 Reviews / 5 Average
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Course: Lunch,
Cuisine: American
Method: Freezer Friendly
Diet: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free
Print Recipe
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 2 whole-wheat pitas (we got ours from Trader Joe’s)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 8 Medjool dates (pitted and chopped)
- 2 bananas (peeled and sliced)
Instructions
Cut each pita bread in half, crosswise, to form four pita pockets.
Gently open each pita pocket and spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter to each of the interior sides.
Top the peanut butter with the chopped dates, which have been evenly divided.
Add the banana slices to each pita sandwich and then gently press the sides together to reform pita pockets.
Eat immediately or grill on a panini grill for something extra special!
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter, Banana, and Medjool Date Pitas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 428Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 300mg13%
Potassium 809mg23%
Carbohydrates 76g25%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 42g47%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 110IU2%
Vitamin C 5.1mg6%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 2.1mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Want weekly REAL FOOD meal plans made for you?→ Check It Out
Banana, Medjool Date, Vanilla Smoothie
A sweet dessert-like drink.
9 Reviews / 5 Average
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
Course: , , Treats
Cuisine: American
Method: Freezer Friendly
Diet: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free
Print Recipe
Servings: 2 glasses
Ingredients
- 2 bananas (ripe)
- 1 cup plain yogurt (whole-milk recommended)
- 1/3 cup milk
- 3 Medjool dates (pitted and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 cubes ice
- handful spinach (or other greens like kale or swiss chard (optional))
Instructions
Combine all ingredients into a blender and puree together until smooth. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Banana, Medjool Date, Vanilla Smoothie
Amount Per Serving
Calories 310Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 20mg7%
Sodium 77mg3%
Potassium 917mg26%
Carbohydrates 62g21%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 46g51%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 315IU6%
Vitamin C 10.9mg13%
Calcium 223mg22%
Iron 0.6mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Want weekly REAL FOOD meal plans made for you?→ Check It Out
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