There are many options for sweeteners. It can be confusing to figure out what is the healthiest to use. As with all foods, the best option is a whole, minimally processed option. Making your own date paste is a great way to add a bit of sweetness to your recipes.
Use your date paste to replace honey, agave and other sugars.
I recommend using organic medjool dates. They are large, soft and plenty sweet.
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups medjool dates
- Water
Remove the pits from dates and place dates in a bowl. Add water to cover. Be sure all of the dates are submerged. Soak for at least two hours or up to eight hours.
Drain dates reserving about 1/2 cup of the soak water.
Put dates in your food processor. Process until very smooth. Add water as needed to keep the mixture moving and to reach the desired thickness.
This will take some time. Scrape down sides of processor bowl frequently.
Alternatively use your high-speed blender. You will need to add more water. The result will be more syrupy.
Store your date paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
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Great idea and so easy! Thanks!
Where can I get organic dates? They have them at DeKalb Farmers Market, but I don’t think they are organic. Any places that are not expensive?
Have you tried the new Sprouts store in Sandy Springs?
They DO have organic ones at the DeKalb Farmers Market. Thats where I get mine.
That sounds like a good option to sugar. I’ll have to try it.
I recently found an ad in a gardening email about growing your own Stevia plant. I currently use Stevia. The ad stated you can pick the leaves right off the plant and drop it into hot tea to sweeten it and you can make a syrup from the leaves to sweeten other things. When I get it and plant it, I’ll let you know how it goes.