3 ways with... dates
● Make your own granola for breakfast. On a baking tray sprinkle 250g oats, 50g seeds, and 200g nuts, roughly chopped. Mix 4 tbsp of honey, maple syrup or date syrup with ½ tsp vanilla extract, drizzle over the oat mixture, and bake in an oven for 15-20 minutes at 160ºC/325ºF/Gas Mark 3, until golden. Leave to cool then mix with 175g dates, chopped, and a couple of handfuls of other dried fruits, roughly chopped. Lightly dust with cinnamon, to your taste, and store in a large Kilner jar to keep fresh.
● For a tasty rice dish to serve with grilled lamb or chicken, cook your basmati rice as usual, then add chopped dates and pistachios, a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, then scatter with pomegranate seeds and finely chopped thyme, oregano or dill.