Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Today on the blog we bring you The Most Perfect Date, and no we don’t mean a special someone to share this day with. Although wouldn’t that be interesting. But really we mean the actual fruit kind of date.

I’d like to take a minute and talk about where we found this recipe. Awhile back, Sammy and I were asked if we’d be willing to shoot a cookbook for a local Chef to showcase her delicious recipes. Of course we jumped at the opportunity, but little did we know how incredible this Chef would be, and quickly learned how by spending time with her how she is just a wonderful person. So this a shout out to Meredith Klein over at Pranaful and you must buy a copy of her incredible cookbook Kitchen Rituals featuring photography from your’s truly.

This dessert recipe from her book is something unique you can make for that special someone today, and can be prepped in 25 minutes with 2 hours of freezing. And if you think this sounds delicious, just wait until you see the rest of the goodness in her cookbook. Below you will see the process starts soaking your walnut stuffed dates in a blood orange sparkling mineral.

One of the ingredients we had a hard time finding, so we ended up finding a replacement. However if you have access to a middle eastern market, or care to order the hard to find ingredients online go for it. We’re specifically referring to orange blossom water, which we replaced with blood orange sparkling mineral water and some fresh sliced blood oranges. Most of us have access to a World Market nearby, and that is where we were able to find the mineral water. In addition to the mineral water, you can also find the rose petals at World Market as well. See pictured below.

The combination of all these flavors together is something so unique and unbelievably delicious, it’s no wonder Meredith has clients requesting The Most Perfect Date recipe in large batches.

So don’t hesitate to start making these tasty morsels for tonight, because we guarantee them to be a new chocolaty favorite. Better than any store bought chocolate you can find for sure. I mean just look at them!

As we conclude our post for today, don’t forget to check out Meredith Klein’s cookbook Kitchen Ritual for the The Most Perfect Date Recipe and many more that will surprise you. She truly brings healthy back in the most delicious way you can possibly imagine. On that note, we hope everyone has a fabulous Valentine’s Day filled with yummy food and people you love. Be sure to check back with us Friday from more tasty recipes!

Quote of the Day: “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” – A. A. Milne

The Most Perfect Date

The most perfect date for Valentine’s Day are these chocolate covered dates topped with crushed pistachios and rose petals.

Cook Time

25 minutes + 2 hours freezing

Servings

dates

Ingredients

20 medjool dates
10 whole walnuts, broken into halves
1 blood orange, sliced
2 cups blood orange sparkling mineral water
1/2 pound good-quality dark chocolate
1/4 cup unsalted pistachios or roasted almonds (we used pistachios)
1/4 tsp dried rose petals (optional)

Cook Time

25 minutes + 2 hours freezing

Servings

dates

Ingredients

20 medjool dates
10 whole walnuts, broken into halves
1 blood orange, sliced
2 cups blood orange sparkling mineral water
1/2 pound good-quality dark chocolate
1/4 cup unsalted pistachios or roasted almonds (we used pistachios)
1/4 tsp dried rose petals (optional)

Instructions

Use a knife to make a slit lengthwise along each date. Unfold the date to slightly remove the pit, and insert half of a walnut. Once all all dates are pitted and stuffed place them in a small bowl with sliced blood oranges and blood orange sparkling water. Let dates sit for 10-15 minutes.
While the dates soak, prepare the chocolate in a double broiler. Stir chocolate until it melts and is smooth. Turn off heat and let chocolate sit above the hot water until your ready to assemble dates.
In a food processor add pistachios and rose petals (if using) and pulse until it becomes dusty. Set aside.
Once dates are done soaking, allow them to sit out and drain for 5 minutes.
Line a baking sheet with parchment papers, but preferably and silicone mat if you have one.
Using a fork, dip dates in chocolate and allow any access chocolate to fall off before placing on baking sheet.
Once all dates are covered with chocolate and on your baking sheet, quickly sprinkle pistachio/rose petal mixture on top before chocolate starts hardens.
Freeze for 2 hours and take them out 5 minutes before servings. If your not eating them right away, keep stored in an airtight container in the freezer.