tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post7894736662275968314..comments2023-10-21T10:04:03.610-04:00Comments on Cocoa and Lavender: Double DatesCocoa and Lavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627872741055523948noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-13079424927269532192011-06-28T10:55:26.373-04:002011-06-28T10:55:26.373-04:00I think adding cornmeal (especially the fine, whit...I think adding cornmeal (especially the fine, white cornmeal) to a cake batter is a great idea. I once used masa in making a gluten-free cake without thinking and it tasted like a bad tamale! This cake, however, was quite firm even with all the intense goo from the fruit, but maybe I will add a bit of cornmeal next time. Thanks for reading and commenting!Cocoa and Lavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13627872741055523948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-14749277020320503822011-06-27T10:01:44.803-04:002011-06-27T10:01:44.803-04:00Hi David, I love the Upside-Down Cake recipe and w...Hi David, I love the Upside-Down Cake recipe and would have never thought of using apricots. One thing I do differently which really adds body and texture to the cake is to substitute some corn meal in place of the flour. I do this for my apple upside-down cakes as well as blueberry peach cake. Makes all the difference. Say 1/3 to 1/2. Let us know how you like it!?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-64191209982051516282011-06-23T09:18:23.660-04:002011-06-23T09:18:23.660-04:00Thanks, Michael! What a great story and how wonder...Thanks, Michael! What a great story and how wonderful that your friends had an eye-opening experience with dates! Glad to have you back in crAZy!Cocoa and Lavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13627872741055523948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-53768472449974105722011-06-22T19:00:01.808-04:002011-06-22T19:00:01.808-04:00Just before leaving for the students' annual C...Just before leaving for the students' annual Central Euro seminar, I too passed through Dateland on my way home from Yuma. After sampling one (or more) of each of the date varieties, I returned with a couple bags of honey dates, one of which made its way into my luggage as a gift for a couple who were my first food-guides in Hungary. When I presented them proudly with my present, Zsofie looked skeptical. "We've not had much success in our experience with dates," she demurred. But, being ever the polite hostess, she opened the bag and tentatively bit into a sample. And proceeded to pop the remainder into her mouth even as she performed the same favor for Feri, her husband, who was driving (and equally uncertain about the merits of my well-intended offering). "We've never tasted anything like this! It's MOIST and flavorful and like candy! We were introduced to dates only as dry and brittle...lumps when we were growing up. What a delight! A revelation!! We proceeded to share the bag for the next two hours of our journey to a hilltop winery for tastings and lunch, with a lakeside coffee following. And the conversation returned, with surprise and delight, always to the dates. I know what I will bring again next year. And this time I will bring my dear friend's recipes! (And perhaps an additional bag of Medjools w/ which to make them...) Thank you, David!Michael Youngnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-28295537960061949212011-06-17T10:53:37.158-04:002011-06-17T10:53:37.158-04:00Thanks! The date jam sounds really interesting. I ...Thanks! The date jam sounds really interesting. I would love a recipe for that! I make some pastries like yours, as well - very tasty! Thanks for reading!Cocoa and Lavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13627872741055523948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-16703073920131547292011-06-17T10:32:02.299-04:002011-06-17T10:32:02.299-04:00Growing up in the Middle-East, I am very fond of d...Growing up in the Middle-East, I am very fond of dates; I make pastries stuffed with dates mostly, but love any departure from my usual routine; this pasta dish is intriguing and also the appetizer wrapped in bacon idea. I love mejdool, thanks for the link. I made date jam from fresh dates this last summer. Love, love dates.tasteofbeiruthttp://www.tasteofbeirut.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-76467475840131344572011-05-20T10:35:30.847-04:002011-05-20T10:35:30.847-04:00Yes, Elle Marie - I do think they will ship to Jap...Yes, Elle Marie - I do think they will ship to Japan but I will ask Caroline. Organic is getting much easier to find here, for which I am grateful! I will get back to you... DavidCocoa and Lavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13627872741055523948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-33451661225330697342011-05-19T20:54:34.594-04:002011-05-19T20:54:34.594-04:00I just adore how you tagged the Title.. very fitti...I just adore how you tagged the Title.. very fitting and cheeky.."giggles"... preservative free... do you think they would ship to Japan? I have a hard time finding organic Dates here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-80339421881562462842011-05-18T10:03:36.761-04:002011-05-18T10:03:36.761-04:00Magda, I do like dates in just about any preparati...Magda, I do like dates in just about any preparation. There is one type - I need to find out the name - which spreads like butter.<br /><br />I had no idea Greece was a big produce but it makes perfect sense considering the climate. Greece has always been on my travel list - but I just bumped it up a couple of notches! :) DavidCocoa and Lavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13627872741055523948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-60595966066095643032011-05-18T07:54:58.745-04:002011-05-18T07:54:58.745-04:00Wow David, you are so enthusiastic about dates! :)...Wow David, you are so enthusiastic about dates! :)<br />You must visit Greece, we have a great production of dates that are unlike any other.<br /><br />I like dates, I'm not crazy about them, but love them in savory dishes rather than sweet. That pasta dish of yours looks amazing, I have to make it!<br />MagdaMy Little Expat Kitchenhttp://mylittleexpatkitchen.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-68797977077294491662011-05-16T16:39:17.005-04:002011-05-16T16:39:17.005-04:00Wow what great new ideas for dates. I must stop at...Wow what great new ideas for dates. I must stop at Dateland next time we go to LA.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00378203442495795280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-46138168272467504912011-05-15T10:43:51.881-04:002011-05-15T10:43:51.881-04:00@ Liz - I think you and R will enjoy the pasta - i...@ Liz - I think you and R will enjoy the pasta - it is unusual but very tasty!<br /><br />@ Kevin - there are more date bars than we could ever eat! I will bring them and some damp paper towels!Cocoa and Lavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13627872741055523948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-52378484543716065212011-05-15T10:38:28.153-04:002011-05-15T10:38:28.153-04:00David - That bacon, date & fennel pasta sounds...David - That bacon, date & fennel pasta sounds great! That's going to show up on a menu in the near future.<br /><br />And, um, if you have any of those date bars left they sound like a great treat for a short road trip... :)<br /><br />Thanks for the post!<br />KevinKevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09377681544714753844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107692602665196400.post-61210522206696803732011-05-15T09:46:53.923-04:002011-05-15T09:46:53.923-04:00Ooh, I love the idea of pasta with bacon and dates...Ooh, I love the idea of pasta with bacon and dates! Delicious. I also love dates stuffed with a little parmigiano and wrapped in proscuitto, cripsed under the broiler for a few minutes. In fact, you may have introduced me to that idea! R and I made them last year for a New Year's Eve party and they were a huge hit! Here's to many date nights to come!Liznoreply@blogger.com