Oatmeal Dates Squares

For dessert, Colleen prepared a Oatmeal Dates Squares for the South Arm Seniors Kitchen.

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Celia was so happy because she loves Oatmeal Dates Squares. She always asks her friend to make her some when she craves for it. Now, she can make it herself.

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Dates are the fruit of the date palm and are high in potassium, magnesium, folate, as well as containing many other nutrients. They also have dietary fiber and are sometimes used to prevent constipation. They have very high sugar content and should only be eaten in small quantities.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 1/2 cups rolled oats or quick cooking oats
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter, at room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates
  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water

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Source: via Colleen

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Lentil, Barley and Brown Rice Salad with Dates and Feta

Minoo prepared three recipes for the Gilmore Park Church community kitchen. Two of the recipes were taken from Vancouver Sun.

The recipes include a Lentil, Barley and Brown Rice Salad with Dates and Feta, a Butternut Squash Gratin with Parmesan Sage Breadcrumbs and a Ginger Pumpkin Muffin recipe.

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The combination of grains and legumes in the Lentil, Barley and Brown Rice Salad with Dates and Feta provides a complete protein meal. It is easy to pack for lunch or picnic.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup (80ml) brown rice
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) pearl or pot barley
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) dry green or brown lentils
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) crumbled feta
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) chopped dates, figs or apricots
  • 1 to 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) olive or canola oil
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) red wine vinegar or lemon juice
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Source: Vancouver Sun

Makes 6 servings

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Dates and Prunes Squares

Minoo decided to have a theme of baked goods at the Gilmore Park Church Community Kitchen. It is the time of the year where there will be numerous potlucks to attend and baked goods make a good potluck item. Making baked goods as a gift during this holiday season is so much more personal and thoughtful than buying store bought gifts.

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The first recipe is a Dates and Prunes Squares. This is a crumbly square but it is so good with the natural sweetness from the dates and prunes and it’s rich in fiber.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (375ml) chopped pitted dates
  • 1 1/2 cups (375ml) chopped pitted prunes
  • 1 cup (250ml) boiling water
  • 3/4 teaspoon (4ml) ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1ml) ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (375ml) large-flake rolled oats
  • 1 1/4 cups (300ml) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2ml) salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2ml) baking soda
  • 2/3 cup (150ml) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons (25ml) cold water
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) chopped almonds

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Source: unknown via Minoo

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Pear Dates Almond Butter Muffins

For dessert, Minoo shared a Pear, Dates and Almond Butter Muffin recipe in the South Arm Community Kitchen. Pears are high in fiber and contain a good amount of vitamin C as well.

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These Pear, Dates and Almond Butter Muffins make a tasty and nutritious breakfast to go. They are moist and not doughy.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pitted dates
  • 2 ripe Bosc pears, peel, core and cut pears into small pieces
  • 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • 3/4 cup natural almond butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

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Source: this recipe is adapted from Alive Magazine

Prep time: 30 mins;  Cook time: 35 mins;  Yields 12

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Matrimonial Squares

The Matrimonial Squares is basically oats crusts with dates filling in the center layer. It is very nutritious and great for potluck and party. We have no idea why it is called Matrimonial Squares – there must be a good story behind it. Do you know the story?

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Ingredients

Base and Topping:

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter

Date filling:

  • 1/2 pound dates, pitted
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar (ignore if you do not like it too sweet)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

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Click on the link below for the instructions.

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Jude’s Date, Nut, Chocolate Chip Cake

This is Minoo’s second recipe which is Jude’s Date, Nut and Chocolate Chip Cake. This is a cake filled with lots of goodies like honey, date, walnut and chocolate chip. This is quite a dense cake and it’s preferably bake in a shallow pan to prevent overbrowning of the edges while the inside is not fully cooked.

I have no idea why this is called Jude’s Cake. I tried googling it but came up with nothing on it at all. Anyone of you out there know why this is called Jude’s Cake? For all I know, Jude might just be someone Minoo knows.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped, pitted dates
  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups flour (whole wheat or half unbleached white)
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 8 to 10 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Click on the link below for cooking instructions …

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