Going bananas with dates

> This nutritious fruit can be eaten whole, blended into a drink or turned into a flavourful cake

DURING the past month, we have seen an abundance of both fresh and dried dates in the supermarkets. This was in conjunction with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, followed by the celebration of Hari Raya, and we’re spoiled for choice in terms of the types of dates and brands available.

For those of us who are wondering how else we can enjoy them, besides eating them whole, or blended in a nutritious nut and milk drink, today’s recipe is an idea.

Dates are packed with nutrition such as B vitamins like riboflavin and thiamin, vitamins A and K, as well as minerals such as zinc, magnesium, potassium and calcium. They are a good source of dietary fibre as well.

With their high sugar content, dates can be used as a natural sweetener in cooking and baking, and added as an ingredient in sweet and savoury desserts and dishes.

To make this date and banana loaf, the ingredients are the usual suspects you should already have in your kitchen.

You could also tweak the recipe by adding a little less sugar, or substitute the dates with other dried fruit such as raisins or apricots.

DATE & BANANA LOAF

Ingredients 225g self-raising flour 100g butter 100g brown sugar 120g pitted dates, chopped 3 bananas, mashed 2 eggs, beaten 2 tbsp honey

Method 1. Grease a loaf tin with some butter, and line it with baking paper. 2. Preheat oven to 180°C. 3. In a mixing bowl, rub the butter and flour together with your fingers until they resemble breadcrumbs. 4. Add in sugar and chopped

dates. Stir to mix. 5. Add the beaten eggs and honey. Stir them in to combine. 6. Finally add the mashed bananas and stir again to mix well. 7. Pour the thick mixture into the loaf tin. Spread the mixture out evenly. 8. Bake in the preheated oven

for one hour. 9. When done, remove from oven to cool before cutting into slices and serve.