myCrescent | muslim community's portal

The date of your dreams may not just be the Budha (old man) who escorts you to the evening party. It is also the succulent oval fruit that hangs off the shades of palm trees. Yes this soft edible ingredient can be incorporated in a meal guests of every age will eye. So here’s how you can mesmerize your neighbors and fellow dinner arrivals at the table.

DATE TART
- 1/3 cup dates, pitted and cut into halves
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp tamarind juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp granulated brown sugar

Cooking instructions:
- Place all ingredients in a blender. Puree.
- Strain into bowl.
- Serve with: kabab, samosa, chicken tikka

Serving: 1 cup
Cook Clock: 15 minutes
Can be prepared morning of the party. Reheat before serving if so.

DATE TO DRINK
- 8 cups water
- 4 large lemons
- 1/3 cup honey
- 10 tender dates (pitted and cut into halves)

Cooking instructions:
- Cut lemons in halves, peel away zest from six of the halves and set aside.
- Squeeze lemon juice from the six halves into a bowl (about 1/2 cup).
- Cut remaining lemons into thin slices and set aside.
- Place saucepan on medium-high heat.
- Add water and dates and let boil (10 minutes).
- Add zest and boil for another 2-3 minutes.
- Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in the honey, lemon juice and lemon slices.
- Loosely cover for about 8-12 hours.
- Strain juice into a large pitcher.
Chill before serving.

Serving: 8 tall glasses
Cook Clock: 25 minutes
Can be prepared one day in advance


DAINTY DATE RICE
- 2 cups white rice, cooked
- 1 cup or 2 sticks butter
- 1 cup almonds blanched and halved
- 8 dates, stoned (they should be fresh, but dried ones will do if plump)
- 1 cup golden raisins, optional
- 2 tsp rosewater, optional

Cooking instructions:
- In frying pan melt butter on medium-low heat.
- Add almonds and sauté until golden brown.
- Add dates and raisins and stir occasionally for five minutes.
- Remove contents from heat and stir in rose water.
Serve atop cooked rice.

Servings: 8-12
Cook Clock: 10 minutes
Should be made half hour prior to serving


DATE DELIGHT
- 2 1/2 cup dates, pitted and cut into halves
- 1 1/2 cup almonds, finely chopped
- 1 egg, beaten
- 8 tbsp sugar
- 14 ounces or 2 packs of tea biscuits (i.e. Rio’s Maria tea biscuits)
- 1 8 oz. box whipping cream
- 4 tbsp or half a stick of butter
- Coconuts, for garnish, optional

Cooking instructions:
- On medium heat melt butter in cooking pot.
- Add sugar and mix well (2 minutes).
- Reduce heat to medium-low
- Add dates and press continuously until paste-like texture appears (approximately 6 minutes).
- Remove from heat to add eggs and almonds. Mix well.
- Crush cookies into 1 inch pieces and add into mixture.
- Combine thoroughly, so cookies are well covered with paste.
- Spread Date Delight in a 9x13 glass baking tray.
- Spread whip cream atop the delight and garnish with coconuts.
- Cut into 2x2 squares and serve individually.

Serving: 16
Cook Clock: half hour
Can be made day in advance, but spread whip cream before serving