Moving out of my apartment and into a home has been the best thing I’ve ever done. After 2 1/2 years of playing house, it truly feels like my sanctuary. The backyard erupts with wildflowers and untamable sage every summer, drawing butterflies in the day and fireflies at night. The rooms have graciously accommodated my belongings, new and old, never becoming cramped, despite my proclivity for collecting dishes and plates. It has its flaws and quirks, but don’t we all? In my eyes, it’s perfect. Well… Almost perfect.
Compared to the “visitors” I’ve experienced in previous abodes, the occasional intrusion of insects is barely worth mentioning. We all live in the same world out there, seeking shelter, and I’m quite flattered that they find mine every bit as appealing. I do my best to usher out the flies and roly-polies, while I’ll always welcome my helpful little spiders, keeping the corners clear of smaller prey. It’s the cockroaches that make my heart stop.
Scuttling about at the break of dawn like shadows urgently escaping the light’s glare, I’d almost prefer not to cross their paths, merely accepting their unseen presence. It’s when they get a bit too comfortable and stick around that we have trouble.
I know full well that after humans are gone, cockroaches will remain. These creatures are far stronger than me so I try to avoid a fight. Unfortunately, they’ve mistaken my peaceful disposition as an open invitation, multiplying with a speed that could put rabbits to shame. One begets two, two become ten, ten….
My home is still my safe space. It’s simply theirs now, too.
Stuffed Cockroaches (Sweet and Savory Stuffed Dates)
Cheesy, umami, tangy, herbaceous, sweet, and just a touch spicy, these dates engage all the sensations. If you don't want them to look like cockroaches for some odd reason, you can simply present them without the additional thyme "legs" for garnish.
Ingredients
- 1/2 Pound Medjool Dates
- 8 Ounces Super Firm Tofu
- 2 Tablespoons White Miso Paste
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Fresh Thyme
- 1/2 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Divided
- Fresh Thyme Sprigs, as Needed
Instructions
- To prepare the dates, slit each one down the center but don't cut all the way through. Remove and discard the pits; set aside.
- Roughly crumble the tofu into a food processor fitted with the "s" blade. Add the miso, olive oil, lemon zest, onion and garlic powder, thyme, and half of the red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth and spreadable, pausing to scrape down the sides of the canister as needed.
- Spoon the filling into the halved dates, smooth it down the center. Sprinkle with the remaining crushed red pepper flakes.
- Arrange the stuffed dates on a plate with short thyme sprigs positioned along the sides to look like legs.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
14Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 74Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 76mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 2gSugar: 11gProtein: 2g
All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.
