Monday, December 31, 2007

Introducing: Comfort Food Mondays!

Just in time for the New Year, I'm starting a new feature - Comfort Food Mondays.

Because Mondays are hard and sometimes, you just need a little something special to make the day better.

To start off the series, I give you my mother's recipe for date squares. They're sticky, rich and yummy. One of these with a cup of tea and whatever's gone wrong with the day just fades away.

These are really sweet. Next time I make them, I'll try them without the extra sugar in the filling. Oooh! And maybe some lemon zest....

Enjoy!

Date Squares
Ingredients

Filling
2 Cups chopped dates
1/2 Cup sugar
1 Cup water
1 Tbsp lemon juice

Crumb Mixture
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 3/4 Cups rolled oats
1 Cup brown sugar
3/4 Cup butter
Method

  • Combine ingredients for filling. Simmer until thick, being careful that mixture does not burn. Let cool.

  • Measure flour into mixing bowl. Add baking soda and stir to blend. Stir in oats and brown sugar. Work in butter with finger tips.

  • Pat half this mixture into a 9" lightly greased square pan. Spread with date filling. Sprinkle and pat remaining oat mixture on top.

  • Bake at 375 F for 1/2 hour or until golden.

  • Cut in squares when cool.

I couldn't wait. Cut into it too soon!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Barb,
Here is my little story with dates:
1988. I'm flying to Cairo. I'm too lucky because I'm at the cockpit. You're gonna ask, how? Long story but I was, I can swear. The flight attendants bring food, special food. One thing they serve is fresh dates. It was so good I cannot forget. So this is my little new year gift to you. Happy new year!

Barb McMahon and Alan Mailloux said...

Such a delicious memory! Thank you!