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.

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.

Wheat-Oat-Flax Buns

Easy to whip up theses tender rolls which are high in fiber and a great whole-grain alternative for your white breads. If you are worried about the bitterness from using the whole wheat flour, that's where our orange juice comes into picture. Feel free to use all whole wheat flour and make sure you increase the amount of orange juice as it mellows any potential bitterness and you are good to go.

Ingredients:

2 cups Unbleached Bread Flour

1 cup white Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 cup Old-fashioned rolled Oats

1/2 cup Whole Flax meal

1/4 cup Canola Oil

1/4 cup Orange juice

3 tbsp Honey

1 large Egg Yolk

2 1/2 tsp Instant Yeast

1 1/2 tsp Salt

3/4 to 7/8 cup Lukewarm Water**

1 Egg White, for topping

Rolled Oats, for topping

**Use the greater amount of liquid in winter or in drier climates; lesser amount in summer, or in a humid environment.

 How to:

• Beat the egg white with 1 tbsp of water and keep aside.
• Add the dry ingredients together; bread flour, wheat flour, oats, flax meal, yeast and salt.

• Add the wet ingredients together; canola oil, orange juice, honey, egg yolk and water.

• Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix until cohesive. 

• Let rest for 20 mins for the grains to absorb the liquid. Then start kneading by hand or mixer until the dough is soft and smooth.

• Pour 1 tbsp water at a time while kneading if the dough seems a bit dry.
• Place the dough in a greased pan and let rise for 1 1/2 hrs.

• Gently deflate the dough and divide into 12 pieces. Shapen the dough into a circle about 3" across.

• Place the buns on a parchment paper and let rise for 90 mins, until doubles again.

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Brush the buns with egg white mixture and sprinkle with oats.

• Bake the buns for 20 mins or until golden brown and transfer to a cool rack.

• Serve warm slathered with butter or with tea, just the way my hubby prefers.