Date-Fig Concentrate

By Sadhika on

Today, we're crafting a luscious homemade date-fig elixir, but with a twist! This isn't just any date concentrate; this is a rich, spiced nectar infused with figs, cardamom, saffron, and cinnamon. Intrigued? 

I used Omani dates, which are lovely, but if you can get your hands on Medjool dates, you're in for a treat. These plump, juicy jewels are the royalty of the date world, and they’ll make your syrup truly majestic.

Ingredients:

  • 10-15 dates (khajoor)
  • 4 premium quality figs (anjeer)
  • 2 green cardamom pods (chhoti elaichi)
  • 4-5 strands of saffron (kesar)
  • 2-3 small pieces of cinnamon (dalchini)

Instructions:

  1. Soak the dates and figs in two separate bowls of water overnight. A full 24 hours would be even better to allow them to soften and blend more easily.
  2. Deseed the dates and cut them into halves. 
  3. In a blender, combine all the ingredients—dates, figs, saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon. 
  4. Add 3-4 tablespoons of the water used to soak the figs. Figs release a lot of their juices when soaked, so reusing this water is a good idea.
  5. Blend until you get a thick, smooth paste type consistency. Store in the refrigerator and consume within 10 days.

More add-ins: 

  • Orange zest
  • Nutmeg
  • Almond extract
  • Vanilla extract

Serving suggestions:

  • Smoothie Booster: Add a spoonful to your morning smoothie for a natural sweetener with a hint of spice. It pairs wonderfully with apples, bananas, berries, and greens.
  • Yoghurt or Parfait Mix-in: Stir it into plain or Greek yoghurt for a delightful twist. Top with nuts or granola to make a delightful parfait.
  • Energy Bites: Use it as a binder and sweetener for homemade energy bites or bars. Combine with nuts, seeds, and oats for a nutritious snack.
  • Tea Sweetener: Stir a little into your tea for a naturally sweetened, spiced beverage. It’s particularly good in herbal teas.
  • Oat or nut cookies: Replace some or all of the sugar in your cookie recipes with the date-fig concentrate.

The last three ingredients in the list are optional. When I make this concentrate, it’s usually earmarked for my breakfast smoothie, but if you’re unsure how you’ll use it, a simpler, more versatile option would be to eliminate the saffron and the spices. This concentrate can be used as an alternative sweetener for porridge, cereal, kheer — just about anything. 

Happy cooking, and may the moments spent in your kitchen fill you with joy and delight, warming the hearts of those gathered around your table!

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