Emirati Delights: Cooking with Dates!
- by WONDERMOM
- Sept. 18, 2023
Dates, with their sweet, caramel-like flavor, have been at the core of Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. One can easily get lost in the alleys of a traditional Emirati souq, lured by the intoxicating aroma of dates. Cooking with dates not only brings a touch of sweetness but also a rich tapestry of history and culture.
Why Moms Love Dates?
For busy moms juggling a million tasks a day, cooking with dates offers a natural and nutritious way to sweeten dishes without reaching for refined sugars. Dates are not only packed with fiber, which aids digestion but also contain essential minerals like potassium and magnesium. They’re like nature’s candy but with a nutritional punch!
1. Date-stuffed Flatbreads (Mahamri)
Ingredients: Yeast, coconut milk, sugar, flour, cardamom powder, and of course, pitted dates.
How-to: Prepare a soft dough with all the ingredients (except dates). Once ready, roll into balls, flatten them out, and stuff with dates. Fry until golden brown. Perfect for breakfast or a tea-time snack!
2. Date and Nut Truffles (Lgeimat)
Ingredients: Dates, assorted nuts (like almonds or pistachios), cocoa powder, and a hint of orange blossom water.
How-to: Blitz the dates and nuts in a processor until they form a sticky mixture. Roll them into bite-sized balls, coat with cocoa powder, and voila! A guilt-free snack that both kids and moms can enjoy.
3. Traditional Date Pudding (Aseeda)
Ingredients: Dates, flour, water, ghee, and a pinch of cardamom.
How-to: Mix the flour and water until smooth. Cook in ghee until it thickens, and then stir in blended dates. Keep stirring until you have a glossy pudding. It’s a delightful dessert that’s perfect for family gatherings!
Moms, Time for a Date Hack!
When cooking with dates, here’s a nifty tip: if your dates are too dry, soak them in warm milk or water for about 10 minutes. It softens them up and makes them easier to blend or chop. Plus, the soaking liquid becomes naturally sweetened and can be a great addition to shakes or your morning coffee.
Remember, these traditional Emirati recipes are more than just dishes; they’re a journey into a culture rich in history and culinary traditions. And as moms, introducing our children to such heritage can be a delightful way of bonding over food.
Alright, fellow foodies and supermoms, next time you see a box of dates, don’t just think of it as a snack. Dive deep into the Emirati culinary world and make magic in your kitchen. And who knows, maybe the next family cooking night can be “cooking with dates” themed!