Medjool Date Appetizers with Cashew Cheese and Arugula

If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy appetizer to serve or bring to a holiday party, these Medjool Date Appetizers with Cashew Cheese and Arugula are the perfect choice.

I love sweet and savory combinations! I frequently throw sweet grapes into a salad or raisins into a curry dish. It’s like a little surprise for your taste buds! That’s why I’ve been so excited to create and share this recipe, Medjool Date Appetizers with Cashew Cheese and Arugula. To up the savory ante, these yummy little treats also have caramelized onions, crimini mushrooms, and garlic! They are also vegan and gluten-free.

I love creating recipes using dates, including these Medjool Date Truffles. Because of the natural sweetness of the dates, these needed no added sugar, and are a natural source of many vitamins and minerals, including potassium, plus fiber and complex carbs.

Medjool dates make a great fuel for your day and they are perfect for topping off your electrolyte and carb supply after a workout. When I received a couple of packages the other day, I had to shoo Alan away from eating too many before I created these Medjool Date Appetizers!

Medjool Date Appetizers with Cashew Cheese and Arugula

During this holiday season, you will love these Medjool Date Appetizers because they are a delicious and healthy treat that you can serve your family and guests. I also plan to bring them to our neighborhood holiday potluck we’re invited to. I’m sure that no one will guess how healthy they are!

All of the ingredients can be prepared in advance so that you can just pop them into the oven to roast for about five minutes before serving. While caramelized onions and cashew cheese take a little time to prepare, both can be refrigerated until you’re ready to use them.

Medjool Date Appetizers with Cashew Cheese and Arugula

 

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Prep time

55 mins

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

1 hour

 

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Author: Debbie

Recipe type: Appetizer

Serves: 18

Ingredients

• About one pound Medjool Dates pitted
• One white or yellow onion, caramelized (see notes below)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup crimini mushrooms, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup arugula
• For the Cashew Cheese:
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• pepper to taste
• ¼ cup water

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cashew Cheese and Caramelized Onions and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 425.
3. In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. You can use the same pan/oil as the onions.
4. Add the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
5. Add the mushrooms and cook over medium heat until soft and lightly browned.
6. Lightly toss the mushroom and garlic mixture with the caramelized onions.
7. Carefully split open the pitted dates.
8. Place an arugula leaf on top of each date.
9. Top the arugula with a teaspoon of the mushroom and onion mixture.
10. Top each date with a teaspoon of cashew cheese.
11. Roast the Medjool Date Appetizers for 5 minutes.
12. Sprinkle with a little pepper and serve on a bed of arugula.

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Cashew Cheese

Soak the cashews in water for at least an hour. Rinse and drain them and place them in a blender or food processor with the lemon juice, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse to chop (about 30 seconds), then add the water and blend until smooth. Find more information about making cashew cheese here.

Caramelized Onions

Caramelized onions are very easy to make, but they do take time. Slice the onions, then cut the slices in half. Preheat about 2 tablespoons oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Keep the heat at medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is browned and has a rich, slightly sweet flavor. It takes about 30-40 minutes. If the onions start to cook too fast, turn down the heat a little.

There you go. The perfect appetizer for any occasion!

Do you like a sweet and savory combination? Do you have holiday plans coming up?

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