Date and Walnut Bites

 I'm so glad I've finally... got some cooking mojo back.   This week on Sunday Funday, we're sharing appetizer ideas for Thanksgiving.  As per Amy at Amy's Cooking Adventures she suggested we do some Thanksgiving Appetizers.  And here is my offering,  Date and Walnut Bites. Best of all, not only are they easy to make and not too filling, but they also do not require any oven time. Just assemble and eat.   😜  

When I first saw our subject for this week, my mind went to the Thanksgivings I attended at my in-laws.    My mother-in-law used to make a cheese dip consisting of Velveeta, a can of green chiles, and some milk.  Serving it with a bowl of tortilla chips, and my husband and his brothers would basically inhale it before the main meal.   After moving away, I decided to make the same cheese dip for my husband and found out he really didn't want it; he said he didn't really care for it, even though I had watched him enjoy it just as much as his brothers did.   In other words, scarfing it down, uninhibitedly.  It wasn't until years later (OK, this year) that I realized she probably made the cheese dip so the boys (4 of them) would stay out of her hair while she finished the prep for the main meal.   And it didn't hurt that it took the edge off their appetites either. 

So, now that you've been totally bored — maybe with a family story, cause let's face it, Thanksgiving isn't just food, it's also time for family stories.   

I've been having a lot of fun with these Sunday Funday themes. I get to try to make new foods and exercise my brain again.   I tried these Date and Walnut bites a long time ago, somewhere, and I thought they were good, and I think they are a perfect light starter. 

I wanted to share this recipe. I can't remember the first time I had it, but it stuck with me.  And I think it's a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer, too.  Cause let's face it, you just want a bit of tease, enough to take the edge off before eating a nap-inducing meal like turkey.   

I like to set the cream cheese out for a little while, to soften enough so I can mix it up before I pipe it into the dates.  This is also a fun thing for the kiddos to do, if you're up to it.  No sharp knives, no cooking, just fill and eat.  Serve on a pretty plate and sprinkle with a little rosemary before serving. 

  

 

Walnut and Date Bites

Yield: 8-10

Author: Sid's Sea Palm Cooking adapted from many recipes

These are a perfect little bite to start off the Thanksgiving meal. Light and moresome.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
• zest from 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary + 1/4 teaspoon for sprinkling
• pitted dates
• Walnuts

Instructions

1. Beat the cream cheese, cream, lemon zest, and 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary together until smooth. Place in a piping bag with a star tip.
2. Pipe a small amount of cream cheese into half a pitted date, then top with a piece of walnut. Place into the fridge to firm up for an hour or so.
3. Serve on a pretty plate, and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of rosemary.

 

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @sidsseapalmcooking on instagram and hashtag it #Sidsseapalmcooking

 

                Take a look at the fun stuff the other Sunday Funday Bakers came up with.

This week’s Sunday Funday is hosted by Amy by Amy’s Cooking Adventures

Sunday Funday

Thanksgiving Appetizers

• Baby Corn Rumaki by Palatable Pastime
• Baked Brie with Dried Cranberries, Apples, and Walnuts by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Charcuterie Bites Pumpkin Centerpiece by Our Good Life
• Cranberry-Chevre Twice Baked Potato Skins by Culinary Cam
• Creamy Duck Liver Mousse by Food Lust People Love
• Date and Walnut Bites by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
• Membrillo - Quince Paste with Manchego Cheese by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Mini Bread Cornucopia by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls by Mayuri's Jikoni
• Mixed Vegetable Sliders by Sneha's Recipe