Dates Nut Roll

I buy these jumbo dates at Costco, which are plump, moist and absolutely divine. It is super sweet even for a sweet tooth like me. Most of the time i just stare at the box and thinking how to eat'em all. Now this recipe comes handy which makes a guilt-free goodness in every bite, making it a great dessert or even a go-to snack. The nuts adds a great deal of good fats and satisfying crunch. Feel free to fancy any your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Next time i am planning to add pistachios and dried figs to make it a richer roll. And here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Dates (finely chopped)

1/4 cup raw Walnuts (finely chopped)

1/4 cup raw Almonds (finely chopped)

1/4 cup raw Cashews (finely chopped)

1 tbsp Ghee (clarified butter)

 How to:

• Dry roast the chopped nuts together and keep aside. (You can roast the nuts whole and then chop'em.)

• In a skillet, heat ghee and add the dates. Cook until it comes together for 3-5 mins at medium-low heat.

• Now add the lightly roasted nuts and mix well. Continue cooking the nut-date mixture for a couple more mins. (The nuts may look a lot, but the dates can take it all so don't be alarmed.)

• Transfer the mixture on to a greased plate and let cool for 10 mins.

• Now gently press'em to form a cylindrical roll and tightly wrap it with plastic.

• Refrigerate the roll for 3 hrs. Cut into 1/4 inch rounds and serve.

• Store in an airtight container and refrigerate it.

Rose Milk Popsicle

Popsicle is made by freezing any flavored liquid around a stick. With summer around the corner, this aromatic and exotic rose flavored popsicle will be perfect to cool you down. Rose milk is one of my childhood favorite and i can't have enough of it. You can find rose milk in a few Indian restaurants menu here in the US. Freezing the rose milk in the molds is a fun way to eat with your family. Hope you will have fun making'em and slurping'em. Here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

2 cups 2% Milk 

4 tbsp Rose syrup

1 tsp Rose water

1/4 tsp Cardamom powder

2 tbsp Sugar or to taste

How to:

• Heat the milk and let it boil for 3-5 mins. Keep stirring to avoid the skin formation.

• Switch off and immediately add the cardamom powder, sugar syrup and sugar to taste. 

•  Add the rose water and let it come to room temperature.

• Now pour the rose milk into Popsicle molds and freeze them for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.

• To loosen and remove the popsicle out, slowly run warm water on the outside of the mold.

• Serve and enjoy it on a hot day.

Tips:

• If you like milky popsicle, boil the milk for few more mins until it thickens up before adding the syrup.
• You can also add finely chopped nuts or cooked vermicelli for more texture.

Walnut Date Cake (Flourless)

This walnut cake is prepared with ground walnuts instead of flour and so its a great way to get all your healthy fats in every bite. The dates gives the cake ample sweetness that is absolutely devour-able and keeps it nice and moist. If your dates are too sweet, you can even cut down the sugar. You can have it for your breakfast with some fruits or as an dessert with a dollop of your favorite ice-cream. One more thing, if you hate to eat the whole dates, then this is a must try for you. Yup, you read it right. And here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

3 cups raw Walnuts

3/4 cup Dates (finely chopped)

4 Eggs (separated

1/2 cup Sugar

2 tsp Orange zest (finely grated)

3/4 tsp Cinnamon powder

1 tsp Vanilla extract

1 pinch Salt

 How to:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a spring foam cake pan with the cooking spray.

• Separate the egg yolks and egg whites.

• Pulse together the walnuts, cinnamon powder and 1/4 cup of sugar. (Fine ground, not powdery ground)

• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, orange zest and vanilla test.

• In a stand mixer, beat the egg whites until foamy and add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar until soft peaks form.

• Now fold the yolk mixture and dates to the beaten egg whites. 

• Then add the walnut mixture in thirds and fold until evenly mixed.

• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 22-25 mins.

• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 mins. And then gently run a knife around the edges and loosen the cake.

•  Let it cool completely before slicing. Serve the cake with some whipped cream and garnish with chopped walnuts.

Chewy Walnut Brownie

A rich, moist and chocolatey dessert mixed with walnuts that is perfect for a chocolate lover. The texture of the brownie is like a cross between cake and cookie. This shiny and cracked top of the brownie shows that you baked it just right. You can achieve the chewiness by letting the brownie cool completely before slicing. A fool proof dessert that will be hit for sure. Here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups All Purpose flour

2 cups granulated White Sugar

1 cup Walnuts

1/3 cup Dutch-processed Cocoa

2 oz 60% Ghiradelli Bittersweet Chocolate (finely chopped)

1 1/2 tsp Instant Espresso

4 tbsp Unsalted Butter (melted)

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Vegetable/Canola Oil

2 large Whole Eggs

2 large Egg yolks

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Boiling water

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

3/4 tsp Salt

How to:

• Spread the walnuts in a sheet pan and roast'em for 6-8 mins in a 350 degree oven. Let it cool, chop and keep aside.

• Place oven rack to the lowest position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Fit aluminum foil into a 13 x 9-inch glass baking pan by pushing it into the corners and up sides if the pan, allowing excess foil to hang on the sides.
• Sift together the flour and salt and keep aside.
• In a large bowl with boiling water, whisk the cocoa powder and espresso until smooth.

• Add the unsweetened chocolate and whisk until its completely melted. 

• Whisk in butter and oil, followed by eggs, egg yolks and vanilla until smooth.

• Whisk in sugar until fully incorporated. 

•  Mix the flour and salt with a rubber spatula until well combined and fold in the chopped walnuts.

• Scrape the batter into the foiled baking dish and bake for 30-32 mins.

• Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for 10 mins, then remove it from the pan to avoid over baking.

•  Let cool for 1 hr before slicing into any desired size.

• Store in a airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.