Chocolate Covered Stuffed Dates

By á-8

from Whole Foods Cooking Class, Austin TX

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Dalfour Jam, Peach or Fig
• 1/3 cup agave nectar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup creamy almond butter
• 1 medium orange, zest only
• 2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups pecans
• 2 cups shaved almonds
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 30-40 medium pitted dates

Details

Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 40mins

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Measure the pecans and almonds. Roughly chop them into small pieces.
Place them on a pan to roast until they are golden and fragrant (approx. 10 minutes).
Set aside to cool.


Prepare the dates and other ingredients.
Make a slit lengthwise to open the dates. Set them aside in a bowl.
Stir the jar of almond butter until it is an even consistency.
Measure the almond butter and leave it in the measuring cup.
Zest the orange.
Combine the orange zest, cinnamon and vanilla in a small bowl.


Combine the jam, agave nectar and water in a small saucepan.
Bring the ingredients to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil the liquid until it reaches
230 degrees, or about 30 seconds after it boils.
Remove the pan from the heat. Immediately stir in almond butter.
Work quickly while the ingredients are hot. Add the chopped nuts and spices.
Stir well until all ingredients are combined.
Let the mixture rest for a couple of minutes.

Take each date and fill it with a good amount of the nut mixture. Press the sides of
the date around the mixture so it will bind together.
Set aside.

In a double boiler melt the chocolate. Dip the dates in the melted chocolate or spoon
chocolate over the dates. Garnish with almond pieces.
Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens.