Got dates? Turn them into a sweet homemade syrup

Got dates? Turn them into a sweet homemade syrup

Got a packet of dates sitting in the kitchen? Give them a little makeover. With nothing more than dates and water, you can make a sweet syrup that works on everything from pancakes and porridge to smoothies and desserts. And there are two ways to make it, depending on how thick you want it.

Dates are naturally sweet, so they can easily be turned into a syrup for drizzling, baking and sweetening drinks. The thicker version works well as a topping or spread, while the lighter version can be added to drinks, desserts and recipes where you want the sweetness of dates without a very thick consistency.

1. Thick dates syrup

This version has a concentrated, caramel-like sweetness and a spoonable consistency. It is ideal for drizzling over breakfast dishes and desserts.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1 cup hot water

Preparation

• Chop the dates and soak them in hot water for 30 minutes, or until they become soft.
• Transfer the dates along with the soaking water to a blender. Blend into a smooth paste.
• Pour the mixture into a saucepan and cook over low heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring regularly.
• Pass the mixture through a fine sieve, pressing the pulp with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
• Return the strained liquid to the saucepan and simmer over low heat until it thickens to a syrupy consistency.
• Remove from the heat and allow it to cool. The syrup will thicken further as it cools.
• Store in a clean, airtight jar in the refrigerator.

How to use it

Drizzle the syrup over pancakes, waffles, toast, oatmeal, porridge or ice cream. It can also be used in cakes, cookies, energy balls and desserts as a sweetener.

2. Light dates syrup or dates extract

This is a thinner version made by extracting the sweetness from soaked dates. It is useful when you want dates to sweeten a recipe without adding a thick paste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 2 cups water

Preparation

• Chop the dates and soak them in hot water for 30–60 minutes until soft.
• Transfer the dates and water to a blender and blend well.
• Pour the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin cloth. Press or squeeze the pulp well to extract the liquid.
• Transfer the strained liquid to a saucepan and simmer over low heat for 5–10 minutes.
• Stop cooking when the liquid reaches the consistency you prefer. Allow it to cool efore storing.
• Keep refrigerated in a clean, airtight container.

How to use it

The lighter syrup can be added to milkshakes, smoothies, coffee and other drinks. It can also be used to sweeten payasam, kheer, porridge and desserts. Add it to marinades or salad dressings when you want a mild fruity sweetness.