Sweet Stuffed Dates Sampler: A Healthy Dessert
It is the holidays and that makes this the ideal time to share Olive Sunshine’s Sweet Stuffed Dates Sampler recipe because this is the perfect, healthy dessert sampler to bring to a party. Seriously, this healthy dessert sampler of sweet stuffed medjool dates is as beautiful as it is tasty. When I bring them to a party, I always receive a ton of compliments. I see why, because they look like perfect little truffles. Here is our little secret, sweet stuffed dates are also super easy to make.
The Sweet Stuffed Date Sampler
- Pistachio Craisin with Honey (dairy free)
- Tahini Pecan dipped in Dark Chocolate with Flake Salt (vegan)
- Honey Goat Cheese (nut free)
Be creative, the combination is only a starting point. I added craisins to the Honey Goat Cheese. A slice of mandarin orange is perfect on the honey goat cheese. I dip a few dates into melted chocolate, because it makes for a fun presentation. I created this sampler trying to keep the dietary needs of all of my friends in mind; however, all three of these selections are popular. If you do not have any food restrictions I will just encourage you to remember portion control. These are especially tasty!
I am often asked if desserts, or more specifically, is chocolate allowed on the Mediterranean Diet. Yes, chocolate is allowed on the Mediterranean Diet. With all sweets, they are on the top of the Mediterranean Diet pyramid and should be enjoyed less frequently. When enjoying chocolate, or any other dessert ingredient, be sure to use only quality ingredients with less processing and only whole foods on the label.
Medjool Dates are Perfect for the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterreanean Diet is all about eating unprocessed or minimally processed foods and fresh fruit. The good news is that medjool dates are not dried fruit. They are fresh fruit. Because they are so sweet and a little wrinkled, many people may believe it is a dried fruit. But unlike a raisin is a dried grape, a date is well…a date. The only processing that happens is to clean them and package them. Sometimes that occurs right in the date grove! When I eat desserts, I am happier and healthier making Mediterranean Diet friendly choices.
Olive Sunshine has Mediterranean Diet Friendly Desserts
Sweet Stuffed Dates the Healthy Dessert Sampler
Fresh fruit contains sugar. Dates, especially medjool dates, are known for being really sweet. Since medjool dates are full of fiber, they helps your body regulate blood sugar converting the sugar into energy. These delicious treats are caramelly rich, but low in fat and full of healthy minerals and vitamins. Go ahead and make this lovely dessert sampler. Sweet stuffed dates are only 138 calories each with less than 4 grams of fat, making these a healthy gift to share with your friends and family.
The recipe is enough to fill 20-24 mejool dates. Each filling recipe is enough to fill approximately eight dates. A serving is one date (or two if you are really celebrating!).
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Ingredients
Pistachio Craisin with Honey
Tahini Pecan dipped in Dark Chocolate with Flake Salt
Honey Goat Cheese (nut free)
Instructions
Carefully cut a slit in the dates and remove the pits. Do not cut the date through, keeping the date together on the bottom. Place them on a wax paper covered baking sheet.
Pistachio Craisin with Honey In a food processor, grind the pistachio until broken into large pieces. Add the craisins and pulse. The desired consistency is fine, but with some pieces of the pistachio and craisins large enough to see the green and cranberry.
Drizzle the honey on the inside of the date. Spoon the pistachios onto the honey-covered date.
Tahini Pecan dipped in Dark Chocolate with Flake Salt Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 70-90 seconds. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
Spoon one teaspoon of tahini into each date. Spoon one teaspoon of melted chocolate on the tahini. Top with a few pieces of pecans. Sprinkle a couple of flakes of salt on the chocolate.
Honey Goat Cheese Drizzle the honey on the inside of the date. Add two teaspoons of cold goat cheese to the date pushing it in firmly. Add a mandarin orange slice, a mint leaf or a couple of craisins for color.
Let the dates set in the fridge uncovered for at least thirty minutes. I drizzle date syrup on the platter before plating the dates.
Nutrition Per Serving
Goat cheese: My favorite for this is orange honey blossom goat cheese, but any creamy goat cheese will work. Chocolate: Dip the bottoms of 2 or 3 dates into the remaining melted chocolate and lay them on their side. It adds to the platter.
