Spotlight on: Dates

• The history of date eating can be traced back to almost 6000 B.C.
• There are various forms and kinds of dates, and the ways to eat dates are endless.
• The fruit is packed with vitamins and minerals essential for daily intake, and is linked to preventing abdominal cancer, constipation, heart problems and even sexual problems.
• The date also is ideal for daily intake because it helps digest food and prevent overeating.

Recipe: Date and Banana Cookies 

• 3 oz. dried dates
• 3 oz. walnuts, finely chopped
• 3 medium bananas, mashed
• 6 oz. oats
• ¼ pint liver or sunflower oil
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Mix everything together really well and put tablespoons of the mixture onto an oiled baking sheet.

Flatten them down a bit and bake for about 20 minutes, until golden.

Recipe:  Date and Egg Breakfast 

• 3 Tbsp corn oil
• 1 medium (1/2 cup) onion, chopped
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Heat oil in skillet and stir-fry onions until golden. Add dates, pepper and stir-fry over low heat for 3 minutes.

Make four depressions in date/onion mixture and add one whole egg to each depression. Sprinkle with salt and fry for 3 minutes to cook eggs.

Serve warm.