Let's Make a Date.....Paste.

We're always looking for ways to sweeten things we make without using sugar. We have tried them all - even agave which we later learned is worse for us than high fructose corn syrup if you don't get the truly raw stuff. Due to it being so ridiculously expensive, most of us aren't buying it or even being able to locate it with ease - so we turn to other more financially viable options.


Want to learn how to make date paste?

I knew you would!

It is super simple - take a cup of dates (without the pits) and soak them in 1 1/2 cups of water until soft. You could even soak them overnight.

If you stick around to watch, the dates will go from this hard, candied like object and turns into something that sort of resembles a cockroach in a swimming pool. I know, not pretty......but wait!

While the dates are soaking be sure not to stand there watching too long. There are other things to be doing....we'll come back when it's time.....

 ONE OVERNIGHT LATER:

It's time!

We soaked our dates in a bowl and then tossed it into the blender/Magic Bullet

**(Note to self: Talk to the Magic Bullet people about all of these selfless promotions I am giving them).

 The mixture will look like this.

The sweetness offered by this natural method saves so much time and we know exactly what is in this blender. Dates and water.

When a recipe calls for a certain amount of agave, be sure to add double the amount of date paste.

Blend the heck out of this stuff until it is creamy and smooth. I tend not to wait, so mine may have little bits in it - but by the time you toss it into a recipe, it isn't going to matter much.

I use my date paste a little thinner than usual, but you can make it whatever consistency you prefer.
We discovered this little treat and now we add it to so many dishes! Store in the fridge up to a week or two!
Enjoy - and let me know what you think! Comment below. :)