Friday, July 01, 2011

Date and Nut Rounds (Healthy Homemade)



Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East for thousands of years.
A 100 gram portion of fresh dates is a source of Vitamin C and supplies 230 kcal of energy. Since dates contain relatively little water, they do not become much more concentrated upon drying, although the vitamin C is lost in the process.
According to a study by Al-Shahib and Marshall, in many ways, "dates may be considered as an almost ideal food, providing a wide range of essential nutrients and potential health benefits." Dates are a very good source of dietary potassium. The sugar content of ripe dates is about 80%; the remainder consists of protein, fiber, and trace elements including boron, cobalt, copper, fluorine, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc. 
The traditional uses of dates are: 
Dates have a high tannin content and are used medicinally as a detersive (having cleansing power) and astringent in intestinal troubles. As an infusion, decoction, syrup, or paste, dates may be administered for sore throat, colds, bronchial catarrh, and taken to relieve fever and a number of other complaints. One traditional belief is that it can counteract alcohol intoxication. The seed powder is also used in some traditional medicines.
A gum that exudes from the wounded trunk is employed in India for treating diarrhea and genito - urinary ailments. The roots are used against toothache. The pollen yields an estrogenic principle, estrone, and has a gonadotropic effect on young rats.
 OK, now lets talk a little about the recipe too...
I ate this sweet at an American friend’s place, she told me that she learnt from one one of our Indian friend’s….I know it’s confusing, but basically what I am trying to tell is that, this recipe origin is from Indian (northern part). :-)
This is a very easy, tasty, healthy and filling snack. I usually crave snacks like this because, I take small meals. I usually keep munching every now and then, so this is a best option for me, not to look for something unhealthy. :-)
I hope you guys will try this and feel happy and healthy like me …

Ingredients:
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1 Box of Pitted Dates chopped finely
¼ Cup Chopped Walnuts (slightly roasted)
¼ cup Chopped Cashew Nuts (slightly roasted)
¼ cup Chopped almonds (slightly roasted)
3 to 4 tbsp clarified Butter (Ghee)

Method:
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1. In a deep sauté pan on a medium flame add the chopped Dates and 1 tbps of clarified butter, cover and let the dates get bit soft. Cook for 5 mins
2. Now add one more tbst clarified butter and reduce the flame to medium low and mash the dates well. 
3. Cover and cook again for about 5 to 6 mins.
4. Repeat the above step until u use all the clarified butter and the dates are mashed properly and it should not stick to the pan and the color of dates change to dark brown color.
5. Off the flame, mix the nuts well into the dates and let it cool or to room temperature.
6. Now take small lime size amount of the date and nut mixture and shape it to balls and flatten a bit with fingers as shown in picture.
7. You can store it in containers for more than a month and it will not get spoiled.
8. This recipe is a very easy, healthy snack.


Re-posting this recipe to send to an event hosted by Kalyani and Event Name: My Mother's Kitchen