Strawberry dessert sauce

Timaree Hagenburger
The Nutrition Professor
Cosumnes River College, Sacramento

This delicious sauce takes a minute to whip up and is excellent on pancakes, waffles and French toast. No need for syrup! It is also wonderful on fruit salad, oatmeal or fruit nachos with "chips" made from thin slices of fresh apple or pineapple.

Ingredients

5 Medjool dates (pits removed, soaked in 3/4 cup water; see tip)
1 tbsp. raw cashews (soaked with dates)
1 cup strawberries
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
1/2 tsp. lemon zest (optional; see tip)
Extra water to add to during blending, if needed

Directions

In a high-powered blender (e.g., Vitamix or Blendtec), combine all ingredients, including the soaking water for the dates, and blend until silky smooth. If sauce is too thick, add extra water, a few teaspoons at a time, to achieve the desired consistency (semi-thick sauce). Store in a squeeze bottle, in the back of the refrigerator.

The Nutrition Professor's Shop Smart, Prep Smart Tips:
• This is a perfect recipe to double or triple if you have a big family.
• Be sure to double check that you have removed the pit from each of the dates. If you miss one, it will definitely ruin your sauce and maybe even your blender!
• Experiment with other citrus fruits. Orange and lime are also great with strawberries.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups