Getting back to the topic.  I came across this today.  You were asking how you could use your dates in cooking... well here's one that sounds promising.  Perhaps if you are using your dates, you might need to add them earlier in the cooking?  Not sure.   I guess it depends how "ready-to-eat" they are.  I know the ones in the supermarket are stoned/pitted when you buy them these days.

Bit confused by this one... it says it takes an hour, but the times don't add up (unless that includes preparation time).  So perhaps you are supposed to cook further at point 3... but it doesn't say so.  But just cook it until the lamb is tender and everything else will be ready by then.

LAMB AND DATE CASSEROLE - Serves 4.  Takes 1 hour

A one pot dish.   Dates and cranberry sauce add sweetness and succulence to the lamb.

Ingredients:

550g/1 lb 4 oz diced lamb

1 tbsp plain flour

2 tbsp olive oil

2 onions, chopped

3 large carrots, cut into chunks

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

600ml/1 pint chicken, lamb or vegetable stock

1 tbsp cranberry sauce

2 tsp tomato puree

12 pitted ready-to-eat dates

3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

rice or steamed couscous, to serve.

Method:

1. Put the lamb and flour in a plastic bag and shake well, until coated.  Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan.  Remove the lamb from the bag and shake off any excess flour, then add to the pan with the onions and carrots.  Cook over a medium to high heat for 8 - 10 minutes, stirring often, until golden.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Pour in the stock and bring to the boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, until thickened slightly.
3. Stir in the cranberry sauce, tomato puree, dates and parsley.  Season to taste.  Serve with rice or steamed couscous. 

Per serving 466 kcalories, protein 32g, carbohydrate 48g, fat 18g, saturated fat 6g, fibre 5g, added sugar 1g, salt 0.81g

I'm also doing some little "Guilt-free sticky toffee puddings" on Saturday night (they have dates in them too).  They are supposed to be healthy because they only have 1g of saturated fat in them... but they still have 339 calories!!!  I'll let you know if they are any good. 

Pamela