Make a date with Medjool

January 12th, 2012

Every now and then I’m introduced to a food product that really impresses me. Being a Dietitian, food is what I think and live and do so when I find something new and it’s not only delicious, but nutritious I tend to get excited.

The food I’m referring to is a fresh fruit that you may or may not associate with the produce aisle – the date. Specifically, a variety of the Bard Valley, called “Natural Delights,” Medjool dates.

From a nutrition standpoint, Medjool dates are a good source of energy, fibre, potassium as well as polyphenols – a powerful antioxidant, which makes them worth trying.

Just a short time ago, if someone mentioned dates, my mind would immediately take me to my Grandma’s kitchen and her famous date-square recipe. {So many great memories, so many happy times; thanks Nan <3} Now, since I received what I’m calling a “dating education” my mind goes beyond the date-square and is overrun with recipe ideas for this versatile and delicious fruit.

Dates can be easily incorporated into both sweet and savory dishes and are available all year round. For example, try adding chopped dates to steel cut oats or whole-grain pancakes. What about a little sweet balance to a hot curry, butter chicken or Moroccan stew? Yum. Need a hit of energy before the gym? Try making a homemade raw energy bar using Medjool dates. Delish. The possibilities are endless. Recipes can be found at http://naturaldelights.com/recipes/all-recipes – check it out.

For more information and quick tips check out CTV Edmonton Morning Live at http://edmonton.ctv.ca/morning and click on the video link to the right, “Getting healthy in the kitchen: We’re cooking up some healthy food using dates.”

Thanks again to the team at CTV Edmonton Morning Live – you guys/gals made the morning all the more sweet!