dates Archives - domenica dreams of calamari

This one goes out to the late Beach City Burrito. Which closed a long time ago and has been many things since but still haunts my memory with its date shakes. When I was learning to surf as a youngin with my dad, the mention of a date shake was a sure fire way of getting me out there even in the worst conditions. They came in big styrofoam cups and were so creamy! What was their secret? We’ll never know. And I’m sure they were nowhere near healthy.

Well, life goes on so I guess I’ll just work on perfecting my rendition. This really wasn’t anything like ye old BCB date shake but it had dates and bananas and tasted really really good so.. there’s a connection.

3 dates
1 1/2 frozen bananas + a couple slices of a non-frozen one for garnish (optional)
1/2 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
a few dashes cinnamon
1 tbsp greek yogurt
2 tbsp sunflower seed butter (or your nut butter of choice)
a splash water
chia seeds/ flax seeds

pit dates and cut one in quarters for garnish (optional)
in a blender blend frozen bananas, yogurt, sunflower seed butter, cocoa powder and some cinnamon and some water
add water as needed for your desired consistency
pour into a bowl (or cup, whatever floats your boat) and top with more cinnamon, seeds, banana slices and the last date

This was another attempt to use up large amounts of greens before they wilted past the point of no return. I love making warm wilted greens in the winter instead of salads. It’s so much more satisfying and comforting. The combination of sweet dates and savory spiced garbanzo beans adds complexity and takes these healthy greens to a whole new level. If it wasn’t already good enough, another reason to eat chard is its’ plethora of health benefits. It has lots of antioxidants, vitamin C (for immunity), vitamin K (for bone strength), omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A, calcium, potassium and iron (red blood cell production).

According to “nutrition-and-you.com”, regular inclusion of chard in the diet has been found to prevent osteoporosis, iron-deficiency anemia, and vitamin-A deficiency; and believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases and colon and prostate cancers

1/2 can garbanzo beans
2 cloves garlic
1 large bunch green chard
about 8 cups-worth spinach
1/4 cup water
10 dates
2 tbsp olive oil
salt pepper
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1tsp red chili flakes
1 lemon (juice)

heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat and mince garlic
add garlic to the pan with the cumin paprika and chili flakes
drain garbanzos and add them to the skillet, stirring to coat them in the spices
continue cooking, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes, until garbanzos start to brown a little bit
slice chard and spinach and add chard in batches to the skillet, pit and slice dates
in the first batch add the water and cover for 1 minute
then remove cover and add more chard, flipping so that the already cooked greens are on top
continue this process until all of the chard and kale are cooked about evenly, turn the heat down
add the sliced dates and mix in, remove from heat and move to a large mixing bowl
squeeze lemon juice in and mix, adding salt and pepper to taste

Tag: dates

Chocolatey Date and Banana Breakfast Bowl

Sauteed Chard with Dates and Garbanzo Beans