Make a Date

Pipped to be one of the on-trend foods for 2023, dates have been growing in popularity for some time. Often referred to as nature’s candy, dates are the go-to for raw food enthusiasts and those avoiding refined sugars. They are even reputed to induce or help in labour, although from experience I am not sure I agree!

Traditional bakers love dates too. After all, who doesn’t love sticky date pudding or a good old date scone?

Dried dates – Found in the baking aisle these are the dates we grew up with. Store them in the pantry and pull out to add to baking.

Medjool Dates – Find these in the fridge in the produce department of green grocers. Bigger, softer and with wonderful caramel flavour, making them perfect in raw dishes and smoothies.

Deglet Noor Dates – These semi-dry dates are slightly crunchy yet still soft and pliable. Popular in the US, they are not as sweet as the Medjool.

Date Syrup – Available in specialty stores like Vetro, date syrup is a great alternative sweetener with less sugar than honey or maple syrup. Use it as a topping on pancakes or in baking.

Snickers Bites

Perfect for the mid-afternoon slump, these bite-sized treats are reminiscent of the classic Snickers bar.

15x Medjool dates (available at The Herbal Dispensary, Raglan and Vetro)

¼ cup peanut butter

½ cup dark chocolate, chopped

1 tsp coconut oil flaky sea salt – optional (I used Opito Bay Sea Salt)

Cut a slit in each date and remove the pit. Fill each date with around ½ tsp peanut butter.

Place the chocolate and the coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl and melt in the microwave in 15 second increments, stirring between each. It shouldn't take longer than 1–2 minutes total.

Dip each date into melted chocolate until completely covered then place on a tray lined with baking paper. Sprinkle with a little flaky salt. Set and store in the fridge ready for when you need a sweet pick me up.

Teriyaki Salmon

I’m a sucker for teriyaki, and this recipe is based on a family favourite, chicken teriyaki (which you’ll find in our new Nourish cookbook – out in June). But in this recipe I swapped out the brown sugar for date syrup, with marvellous results. The date syrup is a less in your face sweetness and adds a lovely caramel note.

Here I have served it over salmon, but it will work just as well over chicken and even deep fried cauliflower florets.

3 tbsp date syrup (available at The Herbal Dispensary, Raglan and Vetro)

¼ cup mirin

¼ cup cooking sake

¼ cup soy sauce

500g salmon fillets

3 tbsp rice flour oil spring onion, chopped (optional) sesame seeds

To make teriyaki sauce: mix date syrup, mirin, sake and soy sauce in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for a further 2 minutes.

Cut the salmon into your desired size pieces and dredge through the rice flour.

Heat a little oil in a pan over medium-high heat and place the salmon in.

Cook the salmon for 2–3 minutes and flip to cook the other side for another 2–3 minutes.

Carefully add the teriyaki sauce to the pan and cook until the sauce reduces slightly and the salmon is cooked through.

Serve with cooked rice, and garnish with chopped spring onion and sesame seeds.

Contact

P www.tameyourmind.co.nz

Date and Orange Pinwheels

MAKE 36

A cross between a pastry and cookie, these date and orange pinwheels will be a hit with anyone partial to a date and orange scone.

DATE AND ORANGE PUREE

2 cups dried dates, chopped zest and juice of an orange ½ cup water

PASTRY

2½ cups flour

220g cold butter, cut into cubes

250g cold cream cheese, cut into cubes

Icing sugar send you a copy of the latest Nourish Magazine and some great discount vouchers.

To make the puree place the dates, orange and water in a small pot, heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer for approx. five minutes until the dates have broken down and liquid has evaporated. Take off the heat and allow to cool.

Combine flour, butter and cream cheese in a food processor. Pulse 4 to 5 times, then allow the processor to run until the dough forms a ball. Transfer dough to a lightly floured bench and divide into four equal pieces. Wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes. You can also freeze the dough at this point if you like.

When ready to shape the pinwheels, take the pastry out of the fridge and place on a floured bench. Roll each piece of dough into a square measuring 21cm x 21cms, trimming the edges to keep it neat.

Divide the rolled out square into thirds both across and lengthways, leaving you with nine equal sized squares.

On each square cut a line diagonally from each corner, leaving enough space in the middle to place a dollop of the date puree.

Fold one corner from each cut piece towards the centre and over the date puree before placing the pinwheel on a lined baking tray. Repeat with the remaining square and bake at 180°C for 12-18. minutes.

Allow to cool, sprinkling with icing sugar just before serving. Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days.

Our Nourish VIPs also get access to our exclusive facebook group and some awesome giveaways.

Delivering immense style and an elegantly classic design taking full advantage of the garden vistas, this stunning home offers luxury and effortless living in the heart of Tamahere.

A well-balanced and perfectly proportioned floorplan offers five double bedrooms, three bathrooms, two spacious living areas along with a formal dining room. The expansive modern “country kitchen” compliments the home beautifully with its central island, stone bench tops, and quality appliances. An open plan design leads from the kitchen through the casual dining area, while the wall of bi-folds can be opened when hosting friends in summer.

Suiting families at all stages, the home has great indoor/outdoor flow and is designed for effortless entertaining. Below the louver canopy, a brazier fire provides a welcoming ambience while barbequing on the patio, and from here you can watch kids play in the pool.

The generous well established garden provides year-round colour, a private and restful retreat, or a fabulous playground for all ages.

Great storage, a spacious internally accessed carpeted garage, and central heating complete the picture. The concrete driveway provides ample off-street parking and connects directly to the 10 x 8 shed which is perfect for a boat or motor home.

With its great flow, space, and style, this superb lowmaintenance home is set on a 5800 sqm site with muchadmired gardens providing privacy and a peaceful environment. Sought-after Tamahere is a haven for families with desirable school zones, the village is a pleasant stroll from home, with its shops, eateries, and the Te Awa cycleway linking this area to both Hamilton and Cambridge via the river trails. Conveniently located to Hamilton CBD and airport which offers commuters easy access to the Waikato expressway.

Your dream lifestyle starts here.

For further information or to arrange your private viewing, contact Angela 021 623 550!