ARE DATES AND PRUNES THE SAME RECIPES

Steps:

• In a covered bowl, let the dates and prunes steep in the boiling water for about 10 minutes, to soften, then transfer to a saucepan.
• Add the sugar and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until thickened.
• Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg and let cool.
• In a food processor, pulse together the oats, flour, sugar, salt and baking soda until the oats are chopped, 5 to 10 pulses.
• Pulse in the butter until crumbly, then pulse in the cold water until the mixture comes together.
• Press two-thirds into a greased 13" x 9" cake pan and spread with the date mixture.
• Mix the remaining oat mixture with the almonds, if using, and sprinkle over the date mixture, pressing lightly.
• Bake in a 350 degree F oven until light golden, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Let cool in the pan before cutting into squares.

Steps:

• Using scissors, cut each slice of bacon in half crosswise at a diagonal, like cutting ribbon. (This will help secure the bacon to the date.) Starting at the straight end of the bacon, roll the bacon around the dates. Tuck the point under the wrapped bacon to secure. Place seam side down on a baking sheet.
• Place in the oven, and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip and cook until golden brown all over, another 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon.
• Season with black pepper (if desired), then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to crisp and cool slightly.