I don’t have fond memories of my blender. I think the last time I used my blender was in college when attempting to make fresh watermelon margaritas. What a disaster.  Pink sticky watermelon juice was everywhere but in our glasses. A lesson was learned that day – stick to Food Lion canned margarita mix when your only goal is to mask the taste of cheap tequila.

Despite my terrifying memories, my dusty blender reappeared this weekend for a date with some medjool dates. The taste of date is very subtle but an interesting twist on the traditional milkshake. This is a great dessert for the summer – try it with the best local ice cream you can find.

Date Milkshakes, makes 2 

• 5 dates, pitted and chopped
• 1/2 cup milk
• 5 – 10 ice cubes
• 1/2 pint good vanilla ice cream (I used Homeland Creamery from the Bestway)
• sesame bar  or peanut brittle (from the SuperG), optional