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Tina Ruggiero | Nutrition Expert, Cookbook Author and Spokesperson

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cinnamon

Date & Coconut Frozen Yogurt Sandwiches

May 6, 2013 by Lauren Stransky

When I splurge on dessert or make something decadent for company, I want it to be the best possible quality. This recipe uses dates, coconut, cinnamon and almonds for an unforgettable treat!

Date-icecreamYield: 8 sandwiches
Time: 1 hour plus 30 minutes or more freezing time

Ingredients For the Cookies:

1 cup minus 2 Tbsp. (14 Tbsp.) all-purpose flour, plus additional for forming cookies
6 Tbsp. confectioner’s sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
¼ cup ground (skin-on) almonds
½ tsp. cinnamon
⅛ tsp. salt
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
½ tsp. almond extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the flour, sugar, cornstarch, almonds, cinnamon and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add the butter and almond extract and process until the dough comes together and forms a ball, about 30 seconds. The dough will be somewhat soft. To form the cookies into even sized pieces, on a floured work surface roll the dough into a ½” diameter “snake” and cut into 16 even pieces. Roll into balls. Using a tumbler, press each ball into a cookie 2 ½” in diameter by ¼” high and place on the baking tray. Bake cookies until just starting to brown on the edges, about 15 minutes. Keep the oven going for the coconut!

Ingredients For the Filling:

1/3 cup Medjool dates
5 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut, divided
1 cup coconut frozen yogurt or non-dairy low-fat frozen coconut dessert

Place the dates in a small bowl and cover with ¼ cup hot water. Let sit to soften, about 15 minutes. Drain (drink the water!) and finely chop.

Place the coconut on a baking tray and cook until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Allow to cool.

Soften the coconut frozen yogurt enough to make it easy to stir in the other ingredients without it becoming soup. (Use the defrost setting on the microwave if need be.) Stir in the dates and half of the coconut. Place 8 of the cookies on a work surface. Scoop the frozen coconut onto the cookies (about 3 Tbsp. for each), top with another cookie. Press to form a sandwich. Smooth the edges with a spatula or finger. Roll in the remaining coconut and place on a tray in the freezer to get hard, about 30 minutes or longer.

Filed Under: Cooking, Food and Drink, Food/Cooking, Recipes Tagged With: cinnamon, coconut, date frozen yogurt sandwich recipe

Salt-Free Seasonings: Five Easy Ways to Spice up Meals!

Jul 13, 2011 by Tina Ruggiero

6a01053531eb10970c015433b37620970cOn countless occasions, I’ve stared blankly at my spice rack, wondering what seasonings would best complement the meal I was making.

Through experimentation and testing, I developed five simple recipes (below) that you can use to add flavor to anything — from meats and vegetables to oatmeal and pancakes. The bonus? Many herbs and spices have disease-fighting antioxidants which may help keep your heart healthy and reduce inflammation. So, toss the salt shaker and give these spice blends a try!


6a01053531eb10970c015433b374c5970cCUMIN:
Toast cumin seeds in a dry pan to evaporate their moisture and increase their flavor. Try seasoning chicken with cumin + cayenne + coriander + garlic.

CHILE PASTE: Use this versatile paste to turn up the volume of Asian stir fries, beef, marinades, pork and sausages. Remember, a little goes a long way!

6a01053531eb10970c015433b37b4a970cSMOKED PAPRIKA: Blend with ketchup and spread over burgers.  Mix with shrimp and low-fat mayonnaise for a knock-out seafood salad sandwich!

CORIANDER: Toast coriander seeds to release their flavors. Try coriander + fish + garlic + olive oil + tomatoes.

CINNAMON: Mix with cumin or coriander to make an unexpected yet delicious spice rub; add to pancake batter and oatmeal; combine cinnamon with cardamom, cloves, coriander and black pepper to make your own garam masala.

Filed Under: Cooking, Food/Cooking Tagged With: chile paste, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, paprika, reduce inflamation, salt free seasonings

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