RECIPE: Speed Dates (Pre-Workout Snack)

Our Marketing Team at work created a mini Vday pop-up shop and while I sold HK Egg Puffs (recipe to come soon!), my co-worker Lindsay made these "Speed Dates."  These Speed Dates are the perfect little bites to eat before an early morning swim.  I've been looking for a simple granola bar recipe and this is the perfect one!  These are simple and easy to make and delicious and filling - just the perfect snack before a workout or a snack in between meals.  Check out the recipe below!  Next time I'm going to try adding chocolate chips in it!  Yum yum yum!  It makes me excited to wake up and eat these little speed dates.

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SPEED DATES
Makes 12-13 balls.

1 cup of coconut flakes
1 cup of oats
12-13 dates, chopped
1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon of vanilla
orange zest from 1 orange
1/4 cup of water
1 pinch of salt
extra coconut flakes to roll the balls in - about 1 cup (optional)
 

Put the dates, coconut flakes, oats, pumpkin seeds, and salt in a food processor (or Vitamix) and pulse until dry and crumbly.  Zest one orange over the top of the food processor (or Vitamix).  Let these ingredients process for a minute until the bigger items are broken down. 

Slowly add the water and vanilla until the mixture becomes wet and sticky.  Scoop out tablespoons of the mixture and roll into 1" balls.  Then roll the balls into the extra coconut flakes to prevent these speed dates from sticking to each other. 

I like eating these at room temperature, but you can chill them in the fridge or freezer to eat them cold. 

Other Variations:  I hope to add dark chocolate chips to this next time!  I think it'll add a delicious mix to the speed dates.  Let me know if you try it with other variations!

 

Peko Peko Pop-Up Dinner - Oakland, CA

This past Saturday evening I was finally able to attend one of Peko Peko's pop-up dinner!  I became an immediate fan of Peko Peko after having one of their delicious bento boxes sold at The Gardner Store on 4th Street.  And I just didn't have one bento box, I continuously rode my bike out during my lunch break to pick up several bento boxed for lunch on various days for myself and co-workers.  

Why do I love Peko Peko so much?

  1. I love Japanese food!
  2. Peko Peko's food is authentic and delicious!  I love their homemade udon noodles.
  3. Peko Peko's packaging and design is awesome! 

So anyways, I finally had friends to go with to this past weekend's dinner and Peko Peko did not disappoint.  The pop-up dinner was at a place in Oakland (not sure if I'm supposed to disclose the location, so I won't).  We literally ordered everything on the menu and all of it was delicious.  My favorite part of the meal that night was the 3 Layer Berkshire Pork Tonkatsu!  Everything was oishii!

Here are photos from the dinner.  Enjoy!  

The pop-up dinner location - intimate, quiet & clean.

The pop-up dinner location - intimate, quiet & clean.

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu

Three Layer Berkshire Pork Tonkatsu

Three Layer Berkshire Pork Tonkatsu

Tamago

Tamago

Pork Gyoza

Pork Gyoza

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Ikura Wasabi Don

Ikura Wasabi Don

Blood Orange Ice Cream with Candied Oranges and Mochi

Blood Orange Ice Cream with Candied Oranges and Mochi