Date and Orange Salad

I always thought dates were those dried up turds you pick up in a plastic container at the super market. That was before I visited Southern California and discovered what a real date should taste like. I learned that there are 300 different types of dates, after much sampling my favorite was the popular medjool. Each date seems to have a different taste and texture. Saudi Arabia is homeland to the date palm, over 10000 years old, the oldest tree in the world. See you came for a recipe and you got all these juicy date facts, what a bargain! Now dates are a big part of my life, and I not referring to my social life, that's an entirely separate blog. This is a simple salad that would be perfect as the days warm up. I usually prepare this salad a few hours before my guests arrive so the oranges, bananas and dates can really absorb the honey and lemon juice. I like to top it off with chopped pistachios, lightly toasted hazelnuts would be delicious as well.

• 4 oranges , peeled , removing all white membrane, cut into thin slices



• 12 dates pitted and halved length wise



• 2 bananas peeled and sliced



• 3 Tb of honey



• juice of 1 to 2 lemons depending on size



• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon



• handful of chopped pistachios

Arrange orange slices on a plate. Add banana slices and dates . In small bowl mix together lemon juice and honey. Add cinnamon. Pour over fruit. Cover and refrigerate for a couple hours.