Delicious and nourishing Dates are a treasure of vitamins, minerals and fibers. Dates are powerhouse of energy to keep you healthy and fit during the holy month of Ramazan. The nutritious fruit contains oil, calcium, sulfur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium. They contain health benefiting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to possess anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic (prevent easy bleeding tendencies) properties.
There are several ways to consume dates especially during the month of Ramazan because Dates are especially beneficial for people who complained about weakness during fasting. Here are some exotic and easy to make recipes for the holy month of Ramazan. Dates Ladoo:
Ingredients:
-- 1 cup Dates pitted and chopped
-- 1-1/2 cup roasted and roughly chopped almonds, pistachios, cashews,
-- 2 tablespoons coco powder
-- Pinch of salt
-- 1/4 teaspoon oil to oil your palms
Method:
1. Soften the chopped Dates in microwave for 30 seconds.
2. Blend the dates in the food processor until they become paste,
3. Add coco and salt blend it again
4. Add the nuts to the food processor and blend it coarsely for about 15 seconds.
5. Remove it from food processor, oil your palm and knead the mix into dough, and divide them into 18 equal parts and roll them into ladoos.
6. Dates and nuts ladoos can be stored in airtight container for a month or more.
Dates Shake:
Ingredients:
-- 1/2 cup (approximately 4 to 5 Dates) coarsely chopped
-- 1/2 cup cold milk
-- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
-- 1/4 teaspoon freshly-grated nutmeg (optional)
-- Whipped cream (optional)
Method:
1. In a blender, process the Dates and 1/4 cup milk at high speed until smooth.
2. Add remaining 1/4 cup milk, vanilla ice cream, and nutmeg; blending at low speed until well mixed.
3. Pour into a tall, chilled glass, top with whipped cream and serve immediately.
Dates Wonton:
Ingredients
-- 1 cup Dates
-- 1 1/2 cups wheat flour
-- 1/2 cup grated coconut
-- 3 tbsp sugar
-- 1 tbsp ghee/butteroil for deep frying
-- 12 Wonton wrappers
Methods:
1. Remove the seeds of Dates and chop into small pieces.
2. Heat the ghee in a pan. Fry grated coconut, sugar until sugar melts completely, and dry.
3. Add chopped Dates to it and mix well. The filling is ready.
4. Add 1 teaspoon of mixture to the center of the wrapper.
5. Dip a finger in the egg wash, and paint all 4 edges with the wash.
6. Fold the wonton in half, corner to opposite corner to make a triangle.
7. Seal tightly all around. Make sure there are no air pockets or holes in the wonton.
8. Fold the longer two triangle points together and seal to make the wonton shape.
9. Heat the oil in a pan and deep fry the wontons till golden brown.
Dates Halwa:
Ingredients:
-- 1 cup Dates (cut into fine pieces)
-- 1/2 cup milk
-- Sugar to taste
-- 1/2 cup cashew nuts
-- 1/4tsp cardamom powder
-- one cup ghee /butter
Method:
1. Take a deep thick-bottomed pan; add milk, sugar, and Dates.
2. When boiling, add ghee and cardamom powder. Mix well.
3. Cook on slow heat until the mixture is almost dry.
4. Then remove from fire and garnish with cashew nuts.
Dates pancake with honey:
Ingredients
-- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-- 2 teaspoons baking powder
-- 1/2 teaspoon salt
-- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
-- 3 tablespoons honey
-- 1 1/2 cups milk
-- 1 egg
-- 2/3 cup pitted dates, chopped
-- vegetable oil
Method:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
2. In another bowl, whisk together butter, honey, milk, and egg and set aside.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat until combined and smooth. Add Dates and gently fold in.
4. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of vegetable oil to coat.
5. Drop 1/4-cup batches of butter onto the pan and cook until surface is bubbly, then flip and cook for 2-3 minutes on the other side, or until golden brown.
6. Serve hot with honey.