Dates and Walnuts

Date and Walnut Bread

A delicious way to start your Eid with a cup of coffee and this simple bread.  Even better, use this simple recipe and invite friends over for tea and impress them with your baking skills.

Health benefits of dates are uncountable, as this fruit is full of natural fibers. Dates are even rich in several vitamins and minerals. These natural products contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium,phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium which are great for health. It is said that consumption of one date daily is suggested for a balanced and healthy diet. Dates help in fighting intestinal problems, weight gain, heart problems and sexual problems.

Date and Walnut Bread Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup pitted dates, chopped

3 tbsp orange juice

1 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup warm water

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease and 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch loaf pan with butter.

In a small bowl, soak the dates in 1 tbsp of orange juice for about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, stir together dates with juice, walnuts, baking soda, salt butter, and water until combined. stir in the sugar and eggs, then stir in the flour just until combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake until the bread is puffed and browned about 50-60 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack and let it cool completely   Unmold onto a serving plate and turn it right side up.  Spoon remaining  juice onto the bread, a little at a time, so that the bread absorbs all of it.  Cut into slices and serve.

Lady Marmalade

Blueberry Orange Marmalade

The abundance of fruits calls for cooking them down and making them spreadable.  The tart but sweet marmalade gets an extra burst of blueberry, making this recipe unique.

Stress relief tip of the week:

Seek advice.  Our minds and bodies are closely connected. How you think, feel, and act affects your total health and well-being.  Many emotional and behavioral issues can be resolved with proper treatment, including steps you can take on your own, classes, counseling, and medication.

Blueberry Orange Marmalade Recipe


INGREDIENTS
3 medium oranges
2 lemons
1 cup fresh blueberries
2 cups sugar
1 pouch fruit pectin


DIRECTIONS
Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest of the oranges and lemons. Cut the zest pieces into thin slices, then finely chop or grind and set aside.


Peel the remaining white part of the peel from the fruit and discard. Chop the fruit pulp, reserving any juice and set aside.


Place the zest and 1 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the reserved fruit pulp and juice, cover and simmer on low heat for an additional 7 minutes. Add the blueberries and simmer for 3 more minutes.


Stir the sugar into the fruit in the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil and cook exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the pectin. Remove from the heat and skim off any foam with metal spoon.


Serve at room temperature.

Adapted from Bobby Flay

The Wonderful Pistachio

Pistachio-Orange Cookies Dipped in Chocolate

Recent research suggests that pistachios have antioxidants, unsaturated fats, many vitamins and minerals that help in maintaining a balanced diet.  The pistachios in the recipe have been toasted to bring out their nutty flavor and have been combined with orange to create a balance.  If that weren't enough the entire cookie is dipped in dark chocolate.  A late night snack you can't feel too bad about.

Pistachio-Orange Cookies Recipe

Makes ~24 cookies

California meets Middle East

Arabian Dream

My Ramadan cupcake: an almond pound cake with an orange apricot filling topped with orange apricot and almond buttercream.  Inspired by a traditional Arabic drink made with apricot leather which is usually served during Ramadan combined with a touch of California oranges and almonds.  Happy Ramadan cupcakes!