The date fruit is acquired from a date palm and is a one-seeded fruit usually oblong in shape. It may vary in shape, size, colour and consistency of flesh, depending upon the condition of culture. It is available in dried as well as fresh form. The date fruit is extremely nutritious and held in great esteem since ancient times. Not many of you know that we can make a variety of delightful recipes using them apart from just using them in chutney or sweets.
Dates are great on their own, but for an extra-special treat, try stuffing them with whole almonds or chopped pieces of walnuts or pecans. They are a popular food consumed after every sunset in the Holy month of Ramadan. Dry Fruit Stuffed Dates with its aesthetic flavour and nutty crunch will surely delight everyone.
Date and Nut Coconut Cocoa Balls and Date Oats and Mixed Berries Granola Bars are wholesome and easy recipes that can be made in batches and stored in an airtight container. They make a nutritious, handy snack to carry in your bag. The honey-like sweetness of dates with a crispy texture, when combined with mixed nuts, results in a wonderful Date and Nut Slices with a nutty and caramelised flavour.
You make a delectable milkshake by combining dates or its syrup with chilled milk and vanilla ice-cream or this Healthy Date and Apple Smoothie that soothes your senses and pampers your palate.
Dates work well in fruit compotes, salads, sandwich stuffing and desserts. Carrot and Date Salad with honey lemon dressing is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavour. The garnish of dates add a crunch and widens the flavour of this salad. Carrot, Apple-n-date Sandwich with an unusual combination of ingredients makes a delectable sandwich.
Chopped or slivered, dates can even be sprinkled on rice and vegetable dishes. Date and Rice Pilaf is a unique combination of rice with dry fruits and nuts, enhanced with rose water, and garnished with fried onions and coriander.
Dates enhance the richness and nutrition of home-baked products like bread, cakes, muffins and cookies. Try this Eggless Date and Walnut Cake which is an ideal accompaniment for a cup of hot coffee.
The quintessential ingredient of most chaats is chutney. Khajur Imli Chutney, made with dates and tamarind is a popular sweet and sour chutney which adds to the deliciousness of the dish.
Since dates contain a lot of sugar, they will satisfy the sweet tooth, but thanks to their fibre content and nutrient profile, they won’t harm your diet regime. The natural sweetness of dates along with oats makes an interesting Oats and Dates Kheer with no added sugar. Kharek ka Halwa made using an unusual combination of dried dates and milk is something you've ever tasted before!
Scroll down to check out various recipes using dates.
Above collection of recipes i have been tried at home varies variety of delightful recipes like Date and Sesame Puranpoli , Chocolate and Date Mousse ,