Date paste
Ingredients
-
Pitted dried dates
250 g -
Water
200 ml -
Vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon -
Category
Versatile preparation
Versatile preparation
Preparation
15 mn
15 mn
Cook
10 mn
10 mn
Description
Date paste, also known as date puree, is the perfect preparation to sweeten your dishes. It is also an excellent alternative to refined sugar.
Preparation
-
Place the dried, pitted dates in a saucepan with boiling water (200 ml) to soften.
-
Leave the dates to rest in the hot water for 15-20 minutes until they are soft.
-
Place in a blender (water+dates) and add the vanilla extract.
-
Blend the mixture until you obtain the desired texture (puree). Add a little water if necessary.
Other recipes you may be interested in ...
Energy balls - dates, almonds
A word about this preparation...
Date purée, a healthy alternative for sweetening your dishes
It's a versatile preparation that can be used in a number of ways, to enhance other dishes or to make desserts.
You can flavour your date purée with vanilla, as I've done here, or with other spices such as cinnamon, according to your preferences.
To soften dates, you can also leave the water + date mixture in a container in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or leave overnight, rather than leaving the dates in hot water or heating them in water over a low heat. Other people use the microwave.
❤️ Health
It's a versatile preparation that can be used in a number of ways, to enhance other dishes or to make desserts.
You can flavour your date purée with vanilla, as I've done here, or with other spices such as cinnamon, according to your preferences.
To soften the dates, you can also leave the water + date mixture in a container in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight, rather than cooking the mixture over a low heat. Others use the microwave.
A revolution?
Date paste has a natural sweetening power without the deleterious effects of refined white sugar, which undergoes heavy industrial processing with additives and chemicals.
It gives a pleasant sweetness with fewer metabolic risks, but beware: it's still a natural sugar, so consume in moderation.
⭐ Tips
You can apply this recipe to other dried fruits such as apricots, cranberries, raisins ... with the same method of preparation. Ain't life grand?)
🧊 Conservation
In the fridge: once your date purée is ready and cool, transfer it to a clean glass jar (like a jam jar) with a tight-fitting lid. It will keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks. For better preservation, you can add a dash of lemon juice to the preparation.
In the freezer: date purée freezes very well! Place in small portions (e.g. in ice cube trays or small jars), so you only need to take out what you need. It keeps for up to 3 months. Just let it defrost in the fridge or at room temperature.
Use a clean spoon each time to avoid contaminating the jar and extend shelf life.