Food Blogging in general makes you think about food, recipes ideas, writing and presentation in ways not thought of before. Food Blogging Event in particular makes you put on your thinking cap and takes thought process to a whole new level especially when a new food ingredient is involved.
I was stumped when the key ingredient for this time’s AFAM event was announced as DATES. Dates adorn our pantry as a garnishing ingredient for our cereal or oatmeal and occasionally to be eaten as is. Other than that I have very limited or in fact, almost no experience at all using it in our everyday or even special cooking for that matter.
I really loved the idea and wanted to come up with something for the event. I had the idea of making a Date Burfi by adapting this lovely recipe here. When I thought of this idea I was expecting to find the taste of dates blend with that of milk, to create a unique taste with a sticky texture. But when I actually tried this I found that dates are mellow and subdued and does not impart much of its taste, the milk powder takes over and imparts its predominant taste and flavor. Nevertheless the end result is tasty and yummy!
This is my contribution for AFAM:Dates hosted by Chandrika of AkshayaPatra
Ingredients
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1 cup sweetened condensed milk
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15 pitted dates
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18-20 Tbsps Milk powder (I use the Milk Mawa powder of (Deep brand) available in Indian grocery)
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1 Tbsp butter
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1 tsp vanilla essence
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¼ cup milk
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3 dates for decorating
Preparation:
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Soak the dates in milk for about 5-6 hours. If not, heat milk and then add the dates, mix until it becomes soft. Let it cool.
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After it is cool, grind the dates along with milk to a smooth paste.
Method:
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Take a microwave safe container and put the butter in it.
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Microwave for a minute then add the condensed milk, milk powder, dates paste and mix thoroughly.
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Microwave for 2 minutes and then stir the mixture.
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Repeat this step every 2 minutes and let it stay for about 6-8 minutes. Keep a close watch on the mixture, as it tends to bubble up, burn and ooze out from the container.
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Add the essence, mix and let this cool for about 45 minutes or 1 hour. If in the hurry then keep the mix in the fridge to cool.
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After this is cooled down, take a small portion, make balls and then flatten it on your palm. Make a dent at the centre with your thumb.
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Place a small piece of the date in the center.
You made that in the microwave.. ? Cool.. they almost look like cookies. Thanks for the tip about getting milk powder in the indian grocery store.. the ones i bought here are awful.
They look like thumbprint cookies. Beautiful.
These look like cookies & real yum!! Looks great.. will try soon!!
that looks really pretty RC! how about using khoya rather than milk powder though? you think that would give a better flavor?? I mihgt as well try it next time and let you know…as for now, your pedas are looking really cute and festive:)
OMG! they luk so adorable and delish! I kept looking at them for a whole 2 min..before I came back to write a comment! Yumm…
wow! these look delicious and they are made in the microwave is just a happy song to my ear..love it!!
looks delicious!!!! and sounds simple too… What more can anyone ask for!! 🙂
this is real eye candy. love recipe and pics.
Those pedas look so tempting…thanks for sharing.
Love the pedas! That is an awesome recipe 🙂
Hey Nice pedas 🙂 You made pedas in the microwave cool..
lovely pedas..had my toddler on my lap while looking at this and she wanted to eat from the screen 🙂
Red chilly, very good recipe, bookmarked!
those pedas look delecious
Delicious! Just loved your recipe! The events brings the best in us for sure! 🙂
Hi ! visiting your blog for the first time, well anything ” meetha” is my weakness too!Those cookies are soooo tempting ,I just have to try them and the best part is that all the ingredients are readily available in the pantry at anytime ,it is one precious find for me!! thanx for sharing!
Awesome looking pedas.
These are so cute.. !
I loved this blog. Thanks a lot for sharing. I just finished boiling the mixture in the microwave. I had to boil for over 10 mins, but still it looks a bit watery ( like dosa batter). I am hoping it will thicken in 1 hr.
Is it milk mawa powder?
I could never figure out how to use it. please reply.
Kalyani
Thanks Kalyani. Yes, I use the Milk Mawa powder for this. I have updated the post.
both the sweet and basket looks beautiful
is this Milk Mava powder of Deep a good one ?
usually i dont buy dairy products from indian stores since they dont have any üse by”dates on them
so not sure if they are already spoilt
The Milk mava for Deep is really good. Make sure you store it in the refrigerator and it lasts long.
Seems Delicious pedas, eager to have it 🙂 Nice recipe with proper method and ingredients for the recipe to make. This could make easier for us to prepare it. Thank you.