Super Simple Date Paste

 

Nutrient-packed, natural sweetness in desserts can come from fruit pastes, which are made by soaking dried fruit in water, sometimes with spices or citrus, and then pureeing the thick mixture until smooth. Dates are the most commonly used (in addition to figs, apricots, and mangos) due to their ability to sweeten everything from baked goods to muffins to dressings and sauces. Plus, dates add fiber, potassium, and magnesium, not to mention many other nutrients mentioned in this article!

Super Simple Date Paste

Ingredients

 1 cup dates (pitted)

 ¾ cup water

Directions

1

Soak dates in water, so that they are completely covered, for 2 hours or more.

2

Drain.

3

Add the dates and ¾ cup of water to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

4

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for three months.

5

Use as needed to sweeten desserts, baked goods, smoothies, and more!

Chef's Notes

Determine your consistency
If needed, add water a bit of water to create the consistency you need. If using the paste in baked recipes, use as little water as possible. If the paste is runny, it will add additional moisture to the recipe and may negatively impact the finished product.

Add a variety of flavors
For a different flavor note, add a pinch of ground spice, such as cinnamon or nutmeg.

Add sea salt with a bit of fresh lemon juice.

Add vanilla extract or the seeds of a vanilla pod before blending for vanilla-flavored paste.

How to use
Use on top of morning grains.

Use to sweeten smoothies and desserts.

Add to marinades and dressings.

Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to three months.

https://foodrevolution.org/recipes/super-simple-homemade-date-paste/