Serves 6

This date recipe is great as a side dish for the simanim. It’s really interesting combination of flavors. The roasting of the dates creates a sweeter taste and wonderful texture.

2 cups pitted dates
3 ounces pastrami, finely diced (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon unsalted margarine
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1/4 lemon
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Put the dates on a small rimmed baking sheet and roast in the oven until heated through, about 15 minutes.

In a medium saute pan over medium heat, cook the pastrami for 3 minutes until warm. Add the almonds and continue cooking until they brown, a few minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so. Add the red pepper flakes and stock and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the margarine, stirring continuously until the margarine is melted. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley.

Add the dates to the pan and swirl and toss them in the sauce. Divide the cooked dates among 4 to 6 plates and spoon the sauce over them.