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If my husband and mother have one pet peeve about me (I’m sure there are way more than just one, but will start here), it’s that I reach for the salt shaker one too many times a day. I must have had one too many canned food products or fast food as a child because I just love that salty flavor that makes everything a bit brighter or in my case a lot brighter! It’s been one of my resolutions to cut way back and enjoy foods for their naturally delicious flavors. Often this is easier said than done, but when your life depends on it it’s a totally different matter.
Several years ago I met the incredibly lovely Jessica Goldman Foung at the Big Summer Potluck and was taken by her warmth and beauty. Only later did I find out she had been diagnosed with lupus-related kidney failure in 2004. As a cook and food lover she could have taken this as culinary purgatory, but instead turned it into a way of life that’s anything but plain and boring. In her new Lo-So Good Cookbook she shares how she transformed her eating patterns without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. Jessica helps you to understand salt and sodium and how to mimic in your cooking.
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I’ve been trying a few of Jessica’s savory recipes like her Carrot Vegetable Noodle Salad with Spicy Shrimp (not missing the salt in this one for sure), but when I saw her Date Caramels with Crunchy Chocolate Coating I knew had to make them. I have a soft spot for anything including caramel, but made with dates I was intrigued. Jessica’s recipe shows you how switching up a few ingredients like dates for sugar, coconut oil for butter and coconut milk for heavy cream makes for an addictive treat. Covered with chocolate, chopped candied ginger, crushed nuts and even her salt-free bacon (she had me at bacon!), you’re in for a super easy memorable dish to share or keep tucked away for yourself 😉
Date Caramels with Crunchy Chocolate Coating + Lo-So Good Cookbook Giveaway
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened finely shredded coconut
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 cup pitted dates, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup canned light coconut milk
- 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped salt-free ginger candy (or pistachios or walnuts or crispy chopped bacon)
Instructions
- Heat a large saute pan or skillet over medium-high heat and toast the shredded coconut until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully and stir often to get even color. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and dates, stirring occasionally, until the dates melt into a caramel-like consistency, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the coconut milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and the toasted shredded coconut. Cook until the mixture comes together and thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Place a 5-by-13-in [12-by-33-cm] piece of parchment paper on the counter with the long edge facing you. Pour the date-caramel mixture onto the left side of the parchment, about 1 in [2.5 cm] from the edge. Using a spatula, flatten and spread the caramel until it makes a 4-by-4-in [10-by-10-cm] square, about 1 in [2.5 cm] thick. Fold the right side of parchment paper over the caramel square. Place on a cookie sheet or flat plate and put in the freezer to harden for at least 1 hour.
- Put the chocolate chips, remaining 2 tablespoons coconut oil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until the chocolate melts, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. (You can also melt the chocolate in the microwave, heating for 30 seconds, stirring, and repeating another one or two times until melted.)
- Cut the date caramel into 1-in [2.5-cm] squares. Use a spoon or your fingers to dip the caramels into the melted chocolate, and then return them to the parchment paper. Sprinkle the tops with the ginger candy. Place the dipped caramels back into the freezer for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reserve any leftover chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and reheat for more dipping fun.
- Variation: For those that don’t need to watch their sodium strictly, sprinkle sea salt on top of the caramels while the chocolate is hardening. For those watching their sodium closely but wanting to spice things up, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or salt-free chili powder.
By using other spices and herbs.
I try to be very mindful when shaking salt on a dish. Sometime it’s hard!
I happen to love salt but after being diagnosed with hypertension I had to learn to season without salt or very little. I season with herbs and different kind of chillies. Depending on the dish I also have discovered dried mushrooms (rehydrated and chopped) works great. For soups, I throw in different flavored tea bags while preparing the broth.
I usually don’t add much salt while cooking, or to pasta cooking water. I add a bit at the end to taste rather than recipe specifications.
Have to try these!
Must try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
I just try to boost the other seasonings in lieu of salt. (And luckily, unless I’m eating chips or fries, I’m not a big salt fan…)
I use herbs, but would love more ideas to reduce my salt-and-soy-sauce-addicted husband’s cravings.
I don’t cook meals that requires a lot of salt, I don’t like salty foods anyway. I research for new meals to try on. I use fresh herbs and spices to counter saltiness.
We use herbs to boost natural flavors. And honestly I just do not like overly salted foods!
I combine salt w/ seaweed sprinkles
these look delicious. thank you!
Yum. These look absolutely delicious.
I keep the salt bowl hidden and out of sight so we don’t keep reaching for it at every meal. Only use if for baking when really needed.
These have me drooling! I saw the carrot noodle salad on your snapchat last night. It looked delicious!! I need to check out this cookbook! Or maybe win it 😉
This recipe looks delicious thanks for the chance to win this cookbook.