At El Monaguillo, we suggest some recipes with dates, those little sweet treasures that, in addition to providing natural energy, provide the perfect contrast to savoury and sweet dishes.
For El Monaguillo, Christmas is that time of year when the rush stops and we look around us with new eyes. The streets are lit up, and family reunions become a true gift. It is a time when family, friends and small gestures take on special value, reminding us that, beyond material things, what truly unites us are hugs, love and the joy of sharing. Christmas, in short, invites us to return to the essentials: being together, celebrating life and sharing unique moments with the people we love so much, moments that we hardly ever have in our daily lives due to the immediacy and rush that prevail in our society.
At El Monaguillo, we suggest some recipes with dates, those little sweet treasures that, in addition to providing natural energy, offer the perfect contrast to savoury and sweet dishes. These are recipes with which we would like to bring some different ideas to your table. We present 2 starter recipes, 2 meat recipes, 2 fish recipes and 2 dessert recipes.
A revamped classic, perfect for nibbling on before dinner.
Ingredients:
Medjool dates, mild blue cheese, toasted almonds, honey and a touch of pepper.
Preparation:
Open the dates without completely separating the two halves. Fill with a teaspoon of blue cheese and place a whole almond on top. Bake for 8 minutes at 180ºC. When you take them out, add a drizzle of honey and a touch of black pepper. A sweet and savoury explosion guaranteed.
A juicy, tasty appetiser with a Christmas aroma.
Ingredients:
Pitted dates, bacon strips, orange juice, brown sugar, rosemary.
Preparation:
Wrap each date in a strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Brown in a frying pan until the bacon is crispy. In a separate saucepan, reduce the orange juice with a teaspoon of sugar and a little rosemary until thickened. Serve the rolls with the reduction poured over them.
An elegant yet very simple recipe.
Ingredients:
Pork tenderloin, chopped dates, brandy, onion, beef stock, butter.
Preparation:
Sear the whole sirloin steak and set aside. In the same pan, sauté the onion until golden brown, add the chopped dates and a generous splash of brandy. Allow the alcohol to evaporate, add the stock and cook for 10 minutes. Blend the sauce, add the sirloin steak and cook for a further 12 minutes. Juicy, aromatic and perfect with mashed potatoes.
A festive and easy option for those who want to avoid complications.
Ingredients:
Pitted dates, chicken breast, chopped walnuts, oil.
Preparation:
Open the chicken breasts like a book. Mix cream cheese, chopped walnuts and chopped dates. Stuff the chicken, close it with toothpicks and brown it in a frying pan. Finish in the oven for 15 minutes at 180ºC. The result: a perfect contrast between salty, creamy and the characteristic sweetness of dates.
Mediterranean flavour elevated to Christmas status.
Ingredients:
Cod fillets, dates, parsley, breadcrumbs and a handful of nuts.
Preparation:
Crush the dates with breadcrumbs, nuts and parsley. Place the mixture on each loin and bake for 12 minutes. The crust is golden and aromatic, and goes great with a baked potato base.
A modern recipe with an exotic touch.
Ingredients:
Pitted dates, salmon fillets, soy sauce, fresh ginger.
Preparation:
Make a mixture with soy sauce, grated fresh ginger and crushed dates. Spread over the salmon and bake for 10-12 minutes. The glaze caramelises and leaves a flavour you’ll love.
A healthier Christmas sweet, perfect with coffee.
Ingredients:
Pure cocoa, almond flour or ground almonds, grated coconut, dates, chopped pistachios.
Preparation:
Blend soaked dates with pure cocoa and a tablespoon of ground almonds. Shape into small balls and roll them in cocoa, coconut or chopped pistachios. Small, intense and delicious bites.
A refreshing option after a hearty meal.
Ingredients:
Maria biscuits, butter, mascarpone, whipping cream, dates.
Preparation:
Make a base with crushed biscuits and butter. Mix mascarpone with whipped cream and finely chopped dates. Pour over the base and leave to set for 4 hours. Before serving, add a few pieces of caramelised dates on top. A perfect end to the banquet.
“El Monaguillo” date paste is a natural and versatile product that has become a healthy sweetener and an excellent alternative to refined sugars.
At El Monaguillo, we believe in what’s natural and authentic. That’s why we dry tomatoes traditionally, transforming them into a flavorful, nutrient-rich ingredient packed with healthy properties.
