Recipe: Medjool Date, Nut and Olive Crackers

Like bananas, dates are a source of potassium (diets high in the element are associated with improved blood pressure control) and manganese (helps your body synthesize fatty acids and cholesterol and maintain blood sugar).

(Makes about 12 crackers.)

Ingredients:

¼ cup (50 mL) pistachios, shelled

1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour, divided

½ cup (125 mL) Natural Delights Medjool Dates, pitted and chopped (about 5-6 dates)

¼ cup (50 mL) Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

1 tsp (5 mL) orange zest

¼ tsp (1 mL) salt

⅛ tsp (0.5 mL) baking powder

⅛ tsp (0.5 mL) black pepper

1 egg

2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil

 

 Instructions:

— Preheat oven to 325F (160C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

— Pulse pistachios in a food processor until finely chopped. Add ½ cup (125 mL) flour and the chopped Medjool dates. Pulse until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add olives and pulse until mixed. Add remaining flour, orange zest, salt, baking powder and pepper. Pulse until well mixed.

— In a small bowl, whisk egg and set aside 1 tbsp (15 mL) of beaten egg for glazing. Add the rest of egg and olive oil to food processor. Pulse until mixture comes together.

— Turn dough out onto lightly floured board and knead gently. Flatten into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

— Using a lightly-floured rolling pin, roll dough ¼-inch (0.5 cm) thick. Cut into 2 ½-inch (6 cm) rounds. Place on lined baking sheet. Brush tops with remaining beaten egg. Bake in the centre of oven until golden brown, 20 to 22 minutes.

— Cool completely on a rack. Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.