DATE SHAKE

I spend time in Palm Springs, California, in the winter, which means an indulgence of super rich date shakes. Dates grow throughout the Californian Coachella Valley, and Indio is the date capital of North America.

These can be made lactose-free and vegan by using soy or almond milk and non-dairy ice cream.

1 Combine 1 cup (250 mL) pitted dates (Medjool are my favourite for this) and ½ cup (125 mL) milk in a blender. Blitz until as smooth as you can get it. There will still be some little bits of date. Add another ½ cup (125 mL) milk, 1½ cups (375 mL) vanilla ice cream and ½ tsp (2 mL) of cinnamon, if desired. Blend again until thick. Pour into 2 tall glasses and top with grated nutmeg. Substitute ½ cup (125 mL) of the milk with orange juice if you want an orange flavour. Serves 2