Stuffed Dates 5 Ways (my first cooking video!)
Video was shot using the iPhoneX + DJI Osmo Mobile 2 for stabilization. Edited with Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2018 and Adobe After Effects CC 2018.
Welcome to episode 1 of "Cooking with Cinders", a new segment on my YouTube channel focused on cooking and baking!
I've always posted food content on my blog, but I never put much thought into actually filming a cooking demo until after I finished up my Italy vlogs. Thanks to editing those long videos, I became way more familiar with Premiere and After Effects than I ever would've imagined, and it only seemed natural to apply this knowledge to creating a cooking video as well!
The first episode of this series is going to be on making stuffed dates. And not only one kind of stuffed date, but five. Because, let's face it: you're going to go on some pretty drastically different dates in life. Some of them are gonna be great and others are going to start and end terribly and make you cringe just at the memory of them. But don't worry, the five dates in this post won't fail you and are going to be very, very delicious.
Dates are a great alternative to more processed, sugary snacks when you're craving something sweet. Not only are they delicious, but they're full of health benefits. Because they're rich in fibers, they'll help reduce bloating and digestion. They're low on sodium but loaded with potassium, which helps strengthen the nervous system. In addition, they contain a lot of protein, which make them a great post-workout snack or breakfast option.
The most attractive aspect of dates for me is their skincare benefits. They're rich in Vitamin C, which is widely known for fading dark spots and helping with your skin's elasticity. They also contain Vitamin D, which boosts your skin's immune system and destroys free radicals that can cause premature aging.
Dates are a great canvases or both sweet and savory ingredients. Here are five different ways to use dates to create the perfect spread for a cocktail party, afternoon snack, or healthy breakfast:
1. Pistachio, Honey, and Ricotta Stuffed Date
Ingredients (makes 12):
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup shelled pistachios
12 dates with pits removed
Directions:
1) Combine the ricotta cheese and honey. Be sure not to add too much honey since the dates will already contribute a lot of sweetness
2.) Finely chop the pistachios
3) Stuff the open dates with the ricotta and honey mixture and sprinkle the chopped pistachios on top. Drizzle extra honey on top if desired
4) Optional: Toast in a 400° F (around 200° C) oven for 3-5 minutes
2. Earl Grey, Fig, and Ricotta Stuffed Date
Ingredients (makes 12):
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup of earl grey tea
1/4 cup of fig jam*
12 dates with pits removed
* If you can't find fig jam, feel free to substitute with any other fruit jam. I found my jar from Trader Joes.
Directions:
1) Combine the ricotta cheese and honey. Then add in the earl grey (I simply took my tea from an earl grey tea bag)
2) Stuff the open dates with the ricotta and earl grey mixture and add a dollop of fig jam on top
3) Optional: Toast in a 400° F (around 200° C) oven for 3-5 minutes
3. Banana and Walnut Stuffed Date
Ingredients (makes 12):
1 ripe banana
12 walnuts
12 dates with pits removed
Directions:
1) Slice the banana thinly into 12 pieces for each date
2) Stuff the open dates with a slice of banana and 1 piece of walnut
3) Optional: Toast in a 400° F (around 200° C) oven for 3-5 minutes
4. Lemon Cream Cheese and Sesame Stuffed Date
Ingredients (makes 12):
1/4 cup lemon zest
1/4 cup of lemon juice
1/2 cup of cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp sesame seeds
Directions:
1) Soften up the cream cheese by taking it out of the refrigerator in advance, or microwaving it for a few seconds
2) Combine the lemon juice and cream cheese, and stuff the mixture into the open dates
3) Top off each date with the lemon zest and sprinkle on the sesame seeds
4) Optional: Toast in a 400° F (around 200° C) oven for 3-5 minutes
5. Prosciutto wrapped Dates stuffed with Brie
Ingredients (makes 12):
4 oz prosciutto
Brie
12 dates with pits removed
Directions:
1) Slice the Brie into bite-sized pieces
2) Slice the prosciutto into inch-wide pieces that will cover the surface area of the date
3) Stuff each open date with a slice of Brie and wrap a slice of prosciutto around the outside
4) Secure each date with a toothpick and they're ready to eat!
Surprisingly simple, right? Definitely feel free to get creative with these, and stuff them with your own set of favorite ingredients—or even whatever you have left in the fridge and pantry.
It is not by any means required that you toast these dates in the oven. I just find that by doing so, you give bring out the flavor of the nuts more, and allow the honey to carmelize on top of the dates.
I'm all in favor of making delicious food that don't take a large amount of time or a wide range of ingredients—and it looks like my previous posts have all been focused on making foods of this nature. If you have a preference for more complicated recipes or simpler dishes that you can just whip up, please let me know in the comments :)
If you enjoyed watching, please give the video a thumbs up. If you'd like to see more cooking demos, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel to stay updated!
♥ Cindy