This Medjool Date-Almond Boat recipe is from my cousin Anu, who is a health-conscious party animal. If a genie granted her a wish, then it would be that she would like to be the owner of a gym. I don’t know too many people that would ask for that. Me? I’d wish for a never expiring plane ticket (and an ever-willing friend to take care of my pooch!) that would take me to any country I wished to go. Anu was in the early 50’s when she ran the DC marathon. I recall she came back from a trip to India (a 24-30 hour journey in cramped economy class seats – you get the picture), and ran the 23 odd miles the next morning! And made pretty good time too. Talk about will-power and dedication.
Mindful Indulgence
Talking about will power and the desire to stay healthy during the holidays are like opposites poles for many people. Starting from Dussera, going into Deepavali, then onto Halloween parties, Thanksgiving meals, and the plethora of Christmas and New Year get-togethers, it seems almost impossible to not succumb to temptation and eat way beyond what our bodies need. Desserts are in plenty and calling out to be munched and savored. Read our blog on mindful indulgence here.
There’s nothing wrong in indulging once in a while. After all, life is about living. But we tend to make the privilege of indulgence into a daily habit and after that, it is a slippery slope for sure. Do we need that HUGE chunk of cake after we have had the 3rd glass of wine? Or can we savor a smaller slice of the cake by eating more mindfully and truly enjoying the experience? Try it sometime, and you’ll be surprised how a small piece of dessert, when eaten while being in the present, gives you so much pleasure.
My client Olives Rapaka has documented her health journey with me to help her with weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. Read about how she brought a balance between eating healthy and indulging in this blog post.
Medjool Date-Almond Boat
The Medjool Date-Almond Boat dessert allows you to have your cake and eat it too. No added sugar is a huge plus. The aromatic ghee-roasted almonds add a wonderful crunch, right in the middle of a luscious, deliciously sweet date. Warn your guests when you serve this dessert. One of my friends unthinkingly popped a date into his mouth and as soon as he encountered the date, he mistook it for the pit of the date, and promptly spat it out. It was a hilarious moment.
This recipe has just 3 wholesome ingredients – dates, almonds and ghee; no added sugar, chemicals, preservatives, or hydrogenated oils. A great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without causing harm to your health and well-being.
Check out our other healthy desserts:
- Chia Seed Pudding
- Mango Rasayana
- Hesarubele (Split Mung) Payasa/Kheer
- Sweet Pongal (Huggi)
- Gasagase Payasa (Poppy Seed Kheer)
- Zucchini Banana Bread
- Vegan Walnut-Goji Berry Fudge
- Akki Haalu (Rice Kheer) Payasa
- Creamy Instant Pot Carrot (Gajar) Halwa
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Medjool Date-Almond Boats
Ingredients
- 8 Whole Medjool Dates - Or Other Large Variety
- 16 Whole Raw Almonds
- 1 Teaspoon Ghee - Make your own Ghee! Coconut Oil also works
Instructions
- Heat ghee in a small kadai (pan). Add almonds and roast on medium heat for 2-3 minutes until slightly browned. If you have a dehydrator or the time, you can soak the almonds in filtered water for 8-10 hours, and dry them before roasting. This makes the goodness in almonds more bio-available.
- Slit the date, remove the pit, and insert 2 roasted almonds into each date.
- Press the date slightly so the slit closes. Warn your guests not to spit out the almonds, mistaking them for the pit!! It has happened at my house. Eat as a snack or serve as dessert.
