Balsamic Dates Stuffed With Chive Cashew Cream Cheese
Author: www.gardenfreshfoodie.com
Recipe type: Appetizer
Cuisine: Vegan
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 28
Balsamic Dates Stuffed With Chive Cashew Cream Cheese: homemade cheese stuffed inside a marinated date is the perfect beginning or ending of a special meal!
Ingredients
For Dates:
3 cups of dates (this equals about 28 dates), pits removed (do this by making a small slice into the date, being careful not to crush it)
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
1½ cups of balsamic vinegar
For Cashew Chive Cream Cheese:
2 cups raw cashews, soaked for 4-8 hours
2½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
pinch of salt
just enough water to get the blender to cream the cashews into thick paste, about ¼ cup
freshly chopped chives, about 2-3 tbsp depending on texture preference
Cashew Sour Cream vs. Cashew Cream Cheese: By Adding More Water, You'll Get A Thinner Product, More Like Sour Cream
Instructions
Dates: place dates, vinegar, rosemary into a pan, bring to a simmer, and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Place into fridge to cool. Can be stored in vinegar for 2-3 weeks (but they won't last that long because you will eat them all!). Save vinegar to be used as a roasting liquid or dressing for salads.
"Cream Cheese": Place soaked and drained cashews into a powerful blender like a
Vitamix
Add salt, lemon juice, and begin the blender, adding in just enough water to get the blender to turn the cashews into a thick paste.
To Assemble: Slice the date through the center, being careful not to cut all the way into 2 pieces. Place cashew cream cheese into a ziploc or piping bag. If using a ziploc bag, cut a small piece off 1 corner of the bag. Use this to pipe cheese into dates. Top with additional chives if desired.
You will have left over cream cheese: use the cheese as a cracker spread, as a topping for baked pasta or enchiladas (or just eat with a spoon because it's so yummy!!!).
Notes
This is a toughy for nutrition info, as it depends on how much cheese you use/date. I calculated this assuming 6 tbsp of vinegar get absorbed and using 1 cup of cheese (although I think I used less).
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 date Calories: 52 Fat: 2 g Carbohydrates: 7.4 g Sugar: 5 g Protein: 1.3 g Cholesterol: 0 mg
Recipe by Garden Fresh Foodie at https://gardenfreshfoodie.com/healthy-desserts/balsamic-dates-stuffed-with-chive-cashew-cream-cheese/