Apple Pancake Pie

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup 2% milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tsp plus 2 tbsp sugar, divided
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp plus 2 tbsp butter, divided
3 cups apples, peeled and chopped
1/8 tsp cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Whisk flour, milk, egg, 1 1/2 tsp. sugar and salt to a smooth texture.  Place 1 1/2 tsp of butter in a 7" pie plate.  Put in oven for 2 to 3 minutes or until butter is melted to coat pie plate.  Pour batter into pan and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly brown.

While batter is cooking, melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add apples, cinnamon and remaining sugar and saute until tender.  Spoon into baked pancake and serve immediately.

Serves 2.

Options: Pancake can be topped with whipping cream, yogurt, raisins, dates, roasted pecans, etc.

Flour-Free Banana Bake

Contributed by Bonny D.  

INGREDIENTS

2 cups oats
1/2 tsp of cinnamon (or to taste)
Pinch of sea salt
3 bananas (mashed overripe bananas)
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup of mix-ins (such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, raisins, etc.)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit.

Mix all ingredients together and put in a small oven safe dish. Mix should be 3/4 inches deep.

Let sit for 10 minutes, then bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool, then cut into squares to serve.

Sunny Date and Nut Bread

INGREDIENTS

1 cup chopped pitted dates
1 tsp baking soda
1 small orange
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup chopped hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, or other nuts
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp butter, cut into 4 pieces
3/4 tsp sea salt

DIRECTIONS

Preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

In a small mixing bowl, combine dates and baking soda. Add 3/4 cup of boiling water and set aside.

Without peeling, cut the orange in 6 pieces and remove the seeds. In a food processor, chop the orange pieces for about 15 seconds. Add the flour, nuts, sugar, eggs, butter, salt, and about half of the date mixture. Process to mix, about 5 seconds. Add the remaining date mixture and process until well mixed, about 15 to 20 seconds.

Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the loaf springs back when touched lightly in the centre.

Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then loosen the sides with a spatula and remove from pan.

Fresh Berry Pudding

INGREDIENTS

1 cup strawberries, cleaned and tops removed
3/4 cup blueberries
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 pitted dates
2 1/2 Tbsp chia seeds

DIRECTIONS

In a blender, puree the berries, water, lemon juices, and dates until completely smooth. Transfer to a jar or bowl and stir in the chia seeds. Refrigerate for at least an hour, then stir one more time and serve chilled.

Make this up the night before for a quick and delicious breakfast.

Date-Stuffed Apples

INGREDIENTS

4 large apples
1/3 cup pitted dates, chopped
2 Tbsp granola
2 Tbsp walnuts, chopped
2 Tbsp demerara sugar
4 tsp butter, melted
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp orange peel, grated
1/8 tsp cinnamon
4 Tbsp orange juice
1/4 cup water
Maple syrup, optional

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Core the apples and set in a baking dish.

Combine remaining ingredients except for orange juice, water, and maple syrup. Divide the mixture evenly amongst the four apples, filling the cavities.

Combine the orange juice with the water and pour around the apples. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking about 15 minutes longer, or until apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm or cold, drizzled with maple syrup if desired.

Warm Stuffed Dates

INGREDIENTS

12 dates, sliced lengthwise
3 oz chevre
1/8 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven's broiler and move an oven rack to the top position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Stuff each date with chevre, sprinkle with nuts, and place on the parchment paper. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes and serve warm.

Steamed Asian Pears

INGREDIENTS

2 Asian pears
4 tsp honey
2 dried pitted dates, softened in cold water
Lemon juice (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Wash the pears and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the top off the pears and set aside. Remove the core, creating a hole large enough for the dates.

Spoon half of the honey into each pear. Add one date. Place the top back on the pear. Brush the lemon juice over the skin of the pear if using; this prevents the pear from discolouring.

Steam the pears, covered, for 30 minutes, or until the pears are tender. Serve warm.