Date Preserve In Syrup Recipes

DATE BARS WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND BROWN SUGAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Combine the dates, water and maple syrup in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then cook, stirring frequently, until most liquid is absorbed (about 12 minutes). Mixture should look like jam. Remove from heat and stir in zest. Cool completely.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Beat the brown sugar and butter with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture (it will be crumbly).
• Coat an 11- x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Press 2 cups of mixture into bottom of pan. Spread date mixture over flour mixture. Sprinkle remaining flour mixture on top.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack, then cut into 20 bars.

DATE SYRUP, HOW TO MAKE DATE SYRUP

Steps:

• Soak dates in boiling hot water for about 2 hours. If using a softer variety like medjol you can soak only for a while.
• Mash the dates using a masher. Strain through a nut bag or a muslin cloth, placed over a strainer. Squeeze the pulp well to extract the juices.
• Place the pulp back to the soaking bowl and add more water. Mash up and strain again.
• Add this water to a heavy bottom pot. Bring it to a boil and reduce the heat.
• Boil this until the mixture thickens and reaches a thick consistency. It will thicken further upon cooling.
• When done it becomes glossy and thick. Cool and pour dates syrup to a clean air tight jar.
• Refrigerate and use date syrup as required on your toasts, cakes, smoothies, ice creams and pancakes.

DATE PRESERVE IN SYRUP

Steps:

• Wash the dates well, peel them if you wish, and put them in a pan with water to cover (about 4 1/2 cups) and the lemon juice. Bring to the boil and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, or until they are soft, adding a little water, if necessary, to keep them covered.
• Lift them out of their water with a slotted spoon, and when they are cool enough to handle, push the pits out with a skewer or knitting needle. You will get the knack of doing it without breaking the dates. It helps to press them tightly in your hand. If you like, replace each pit with a blanched almond through the same hole.
• Add sugar and cloves to the date liquor and bring to the boil. Simmer for a few minutes, until the sugar is dissolved, then drop in the dates and cook for a further 20-30 minutes. Lift the dates out carefully with a slotted spoon and put them in a clean glass jar, burying the cloves among them.
• Thicken the syrup by boiling until it coats the back of a spoon or sets when tested on a cold plate. Pour over the dates, let cool, and close the jar tightly.
• These dates are also delicious stuffed with pieces of candied orange peel; use about 1 cup.