OK, so…fun story. This is something my husband used to tease me about consistently.
I LOVED dating and going on Dates. Like, all caps all day long LOVED.
When a relationship would end throughout my 20’s and 30’s I would be like, “Oh goodie, I get to go Date again – wahoo!”
I realize this is strange (welcome to me), because I’ve mentored folks over the years who reportedly “hate” dating and avoid it at all costs. As in, they would stay in the same relationship about 10 years+ past the expiration date just so they wouldn’t have to go out and date again.
I could never for the life of me figure that out. Because dating is SO much fun. You get dressed up, all of the possibility and potential of your most aligned partner awaits – and you get to go do new things and eat at romantic restaurants together. How is this not everyone’s favorite part?
Anyway, one of my favorite date spots back in the day was Veritable Quandary right in downtown Portland, Ore.
Remember that place? It was the absolute cutest (wish I had photos I could share because the brick, the patio – it was all beautiful).
Now it’s a high-rise and Portland has been ruined, but that’s what P-town gets for selling its Soul to be famous (another post for another time).
Back to my story that’s leading to a recipe…
VQ as we called it was SO romantic.
The food was SO good.
The wine list (back when I drank wine) was extensive.
It was the absolute perfect spot for a first or second date.
Suffice it to say, I went there A LOT throughout my many break-ups and years of dating in my 20’s and 30’s.
My absolute favorite item to order was Bacon-wrapped Date Rolls.
With a glass of Malbec.
I mean, they were heavenly.
My husband jokes about my extensive date roll experience with all my dates (to which I bat my eyelashes, and say, “I was in high demand, what’s a girl to do?! ;)).
But you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a bacon-wrapped date?
Probably since I stopped dating 6 years ago. And that’s it’s own little tragedy.
Since I can’t go to VQ (one because Portland is a shell of itself and it breaks my heart to be there now after nearly 20 years of calling it home) and I’m no longer dating – I had to take matters into my own hands.
Introducing …
My Beet-Wrapped Date Rolls that are meat-free, gluten-free and cow-dairy free (and vegan if you prefer).
You’re going to LOVE these, almost as much as I Loved VQ’s (or maybe more ;)).
Ingredients:
- 1 large organic beet, sliced in vertical strips
- Organic coconut oil
- 10-20 organic Medjool dates, pitted and sliced open (but not cut in half)
- Miyoko’s cream cheese plain OR organic goat cheese (bonus if the goat cheese is local too)
- Toothpicks (wooden, obvi)
- Parchment paper
Step one: Preheat oven to 375.
Step two: In a medium skillet, place a tablespoon or two of organic coconut oil, once melted, place beet strips in the skillet. Cook up to 5 minutes covered until they are soft and flexible.
Step three: Fill dates with cheese and bring the two open sides of the date back together so it’s a whole date filled with cheese.
Step four: Wrap the beet slices (1-2) around each date and secure with a toothpick.
Step five: Bake for 11-15 minutes.
Step six: Remove from oven and bless these metaphysical date rolls, letting them cool for a minute or two.
Step seven: Pour two glasses of Apothe-Cherry (my fave wine substitute: 2T diluted in alkaline water), light some candles, pull your sweetie over and enjoy a candlelit date night worthy of an old-school VQ date experience!
