Stuffed Dates, Figs in Honey

If you are looking for a hearty start to your day, a guilt free snack, a healthy replacement for candies and sweets or simply an instant energy booster, these two simple recipes for Stuffed Dates and Figs in Honey are the answer to your quest.

These two fruits are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fibre, an ideal starter for your Iftar.

I stuffed the dates with almonds and peanuts, you can use mixed nuts of your choice. Walnuts, pistachios, cashews, pine nuts, pecans would do wonderfully well.

Similarly, figs soaked in honey taste amazing – little soft pillows, filled with mildly sweet and a touch sour syrup. I love to start my day with a couple of these for a feel good breakfast.

For Stuffed Dates:

• 16 dates, pitted
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup peanuts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

This Is What You Do :

• Make sure there is no grit on the dates. If you don’t have soft dates, soak the hard ones in warm water for 15 minutes. Remove stones.
• Heat oil in a frying pan on medium-low heat. Stir fry almonds and peanuts till they are lightly toasted. Stir in salt, mix.
• Let the almonds and peanuts cool down, put them in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.
• Fill about 1/2 teaspoon in each date. The dates will look like little boats filled with roasted almonds and peanuts. Enjoy!

Figs In Honey:

• 8 dried figs
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup water

This Is What You Do:

• Heat water in a saucepan, add all the other ingredients.
• Cook on medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
• Turn the heat off and cover pan till figs turn soft and swell up.
• Serve in syrup.