Even if you are an avid cook, you might still find yourself avoiding cooking some dishes from scratch.
One of the most common things that even the most experienced cooks avoid making is pastes, simply because it is easier to buy a jar of paste from the store. But making paste is usually pretty easy.
One type of paste that you may want to try making yourself is date paste. This paste has a unique taste thanks to its primary ingredient, but it is highly versatile and can be used in lots of different dishes.
Date paste not only crosses different dishes, but it also crosses different cuisines, and it is used all over the world.
With that in mind, I’ve put together this handy guide to making your own date paste. So with no further ado, let’s get started.
What is Date Paste?
If you haven’t heard of it before, then you might be reading this and wondering ‘what on earth is date paste?’. As you can probably guess, date paste is a paste that is made with the primary ingredient of dates.
Dates are a popular choice in some dishes as they are very sweet, and can be used as a replacement for sugar. They have the sweetness of sugar, but are a lot more healthy, as they are also packed with vitamins and minerals.
Date paste is made using dates, milk, vanilla extract and salt. The ingredients needed to make this dish are very minimal, and this is part of what makes it so easy to throw together.
Date paste can be enjoyed raw, and it can also be used in other dishes. But where does it come from?
Where does Date Paste come from?
Date paste, or date syrup as it is sometimes known, has been around for centuries. In fact, it was one of the first sweeteners created, and still remains one of the most healthy.
While date paste has been around for a long time in some parts of the world, it is only recently that it has become popular in the USA.
The main reason why date paste has grown so popular in America is because it is a healthy alternative to sugar. But, this isn’t all that it can be used for. Date paste can also be used in oatmeal, smoothies, stews, sauces, and even in salad dressings.
So, if you decide to make date paste, you will have a seemingly endless list of things that you can make with it.
Ingredients: What You Need
The key to making anything is preparation. If you are not prepared, then you are setting yourself up to fail. So, before you do anything else, you should gather all the ingredients and equipment that you need to make your date paste.
That way, everything will be ready as and when you need it. To make life easier for you, I’ve put together the following lists so that you know exactly what you need to make your date paste.
Ingredients:
- 24 Medjool dates (this will usually weigh just over 1 pound)
- 1.25 cups of almond or cashew milk (choose whichever you prefer)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (you will not need this if you are using the paste for a recipe)
- 1 dash sea salt (you will not need this if you are using the paste for a recipe)
Equipment:
- Sharp knife
- Blender or food processor or fork
Once you have gathered everything on the list above, then you are ready to get started. To find out what to do next, keep on reading.
Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
After you are fully prepared, you can then begin making your date paste. To help you out, I’ve put together this step-by-step guide so that you know exactly what to do along the way.
Before you get started, I’d recommend reading this recipe thoroughly so that you are familiar with it before you begin.
Step One: Prepare your Dates
Depending on the exact dates that you have bought, you might have to pit them before you go any further. The dates that you bought might be seedless, in which case you can skip this step.
But if they are not, then you will need to remove the seeds. To do this, take a sharp knife and cut lengthwise down the date. It is important that you only make a shallow cut, otherwise, you could cut the date in half.
This allows you access to the seeds, which you can then remove. Do this with all of your dates.
Step Two: Soak your Dates
You should then fill a bowl with hot water and place your dates inside the bowl. They will then need to be left to soak to make them smooth and soft. If you are using a blender or food processor, then you will only need to do this for 30 minutes.
If you are using a fork, then you should soak the dates overnight.
Step Three: Food Processor Method
If you are using a food processor, add all the ingredients I listed above, and blend until smooth. This will take a little while as you will have to scrape the sides of the food processor throughout the process. Your date paste is then ready to use.
Step Four: Blender Method
Alternatively, if you are using a blender, then you will also need to add everything to the blender and set it to a high speed. Shake a couple of times throughout, until the mixture is smooth and ready to use.
Step Five: Fork Method
Add your soaked dates and the other ingredients to a bowl and mix with a fork. You will need to mash the mixture throughout, and it will take a lot longer than the other methods. But, eventually, you will have a smooth date paste that is ready to eat.
Summary
In short, this has been a handy guide to making date paste. So, if you want to try making your own date paste, follow this recipe to make it as stress-free and easy as possible.
