Versatile and easy to make!
dates of your choice
pure water
As you can see, I like to use a mortar and pestle for creating date paste. Grinding the dates by hand allows for greater control over thickness and texture, but a high-powered blender or mini-food processor can also be utilized.
Here are the dates with their flower tops and seeds removed.
Here you will notice the dates have been mashed until pulpy.
You could stop at this point if you like, but you may want to thin out the paste a bit.
Pure water is the most adaptable choice of liquid to thin a viscous date paste. However, different types of fresh juices and infused waters are fun options to consider. It will ultimately come down to personal preference and what ways the date paste is to be used.
Add the liquid to the date paste small increments at a time until the desired thickness is achieved.
Once you have finished making your date paste, store it in an airtight container inside the refrigerator.
It should keep for at least a week, but it will probably be used up well before that. [smiley wink]
A few tips…
No specific ingredient amounts are listed. Decide whatever amount of date paste you’d like to keep on hand for up to a week at a time and make it as thick or thin as you prefer. I opted for Barhi dates this time around (see first picture above), but you can choose whatever type of date you like. There are several different varieties to try! Date paste can be enjoyed in place of dates called for in recipes, and in some instances can provide more accurate measurement. We use it in our favorite spicy sweet mustard.
If your dates are not soft and pliable, you can soak them in a small amount pure water, just enough to cover the dates, for fifteen minutes or longer until they plump up enough for ease in blending. If you store your dates in the refrigerator, they will become stiff from the cold but will usually soften up somewhat after being left out at room temperature for a while. If they still seem hard, then definitely utilize the soak method. Reserve the soak water for thinning out your date paste.
I like using a medium-sized mortar and pestle set to create date paste as I prefer making fresh pastes as needed, plus I can easily prepare smaller amounts. A large mortar and pestle will come in handy for making a big batches of date paste. Alternatively, as mentioned above, a high-powered blender or mini-food processor can also be utilized. Similarly add enough liquid to create a smooth mixture.
Depending on what you plan to add the date paste to, texture may play an important role. A blender or food processor will more than likely provide a creamier texture than hand-ground. You will need to decide which technique works best for a particular recipe.
As mentioned earlier, fresh juices and infused waters are optional liquid choices for thinning out date paste. Different types of herb or spice blends can also be added, dependent upon the recipe. Use your imagination and be creative!
Something helpful: If you’re looking for another alternative to honey, try using date paste thinned to a syrupy consistency.
