A Date for Saturday Night

At cooking school last weekend we made desserts. Lots and lots of desserts. There were brownies and cookies, a tarte tartin, orange gingerbread with lemon sauce, a chocolate red velvet cake, vegan baklava, a pear charlotte, crepes, an antico dolce torte and a chocolate hazelnut torte. What is so amazing about these goodies is that they are not made with refined white sugar. All the desserts were made using brown rice syrup as a sweetener.

The vegan desserts that are normally sold in the marketplace are made with white sugar and white flour. It's true that they don't have eggs, butter, or milk, but the white sugar, vegan butter, and white flour still do not entitle them to carry a healthy label.

The desserts we made last weekend were made from organic whole grain pastry flour, avocado or olive oil, or Earth Balance. Almond milk was the liquid of choice.

The pastry I chose to make today is a classic date bar. I have taken a traditional date bar recipe and inserted healthier ingredients. Instead of white flour, I use whole wheat pastry flour. Instead of butter, I use avocado oil. Brown rice syrup and date sugar replace the brown sugar.

Dates come from the date palm which originated in North Africa. They have been eaten for centuries in the Middle East, along the Nile, because of their high nutritional value. Dates are easily digestible, high in natural fiber and are good for the intestines. They contain numerous nutrients, including calcium, sulfur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and manganese. Dates are high in natural sugar so added sugar is rarely necessary when using them in a dessert. Dates give us a quick "pick me up" when our energy is low. They are also considered to have a laxative effect and are good for sluggish bowels.

Although dates have more calories than most other fruits, they make a great snack because they are filling (so you eat less of them) and they can be substituted for processed sweet treats. Although dates are great by themselves, they are also good when added to a salad or a fruit compote. Try sprinkling them on rice or couscous.

Date Nut Bars
1 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup oats
1/2 cup brown rice syrup
1/2 cup date sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup avocado/olive oil mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 8x8 metal baking pan.
Bring the water, dates, and walnuts to a boil. Lower to simmer and cook until soft and thick about 10 minutes. Cool and add vanilla.

Meanwhile, combine flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, date sugar, and brown rice syrup. Add the oil and combine all ingredients. Press 3/4 of this mixture into the bottom of the oiled pan. Top with the date/walnut mixture. Sprinkle remaining flour/oat mixture on top. Bake for about 25-30 minutes. Cool and enjoy.