Bonus, with the switch of one ingredient, these date bars could easily be vegan!
Have you ever had ranginak? Ranginak are basically no bake date cakes or bars with walnuts and pistachios. They are found particularly in Persia, parts of the eastern Mediterranean and Morocco. If you are not a medjool date eater, you will become one as soon as you try this simple, yet delectable, dessert I have for you today. I grew up eating medjool dates because my dad loved them and he always made sure we had some for a quick snack or for a teatime treat. But I became a medjool dates enthusiast only recently, when in an issue of Yoga Journal, I read advice on what to have before your yoga practice. Foods that will give you energy but will still keep you light throughout your practice. Yoga Journal suggested a small shake of almond milk and dates. But since I don’t always have time to make a shake, I began to eat two dates every morning about an hour or so before I left for yoga class. I thought it couldn’t hurt. But, could this small snack really give me that much energy through a whole hour of laborious power yoga session in a room that is nearly 95 F degrees warm?! The answer is a resounding YES, because two medjool dates give me 133 calories and 36 grams of total carbohydrate!
In the back of my head I knew that traditionally in the Middle East offering someone dates was a sign of hospitality. But it wasn’t until recently that I finally made the connection between their nutritional value, as a source of carbohydrates and essential minerals, and the ancient practice of hospitality. This fascinating Santa Clara University article explains the length to which people of the Middle East will go to express hospitality. And I would have to agree that hospitality is not extended simply to family and friends, but even more towards strangers. To be a hospitable person is to be one who loves strangers– to offer of yourself and resources without expectation of reciprocity. A stranger in this ancient nomadic culture was naturally a traveler in the dessert. So, to help quickly restore their energy, it would make sense to have offered dates. And even as strangers left your home, they are offered dates and water to help sustain them through their journey ahead. And so, medjool dates and hospitality have long been linked.
This recipe for no bake date dessert bars is one that comes from a tradition of celebration and hospitality. And because it is so simple, you can make it almost daily if you want. It is great with tea or coffee–preferably with friends. The best way to describe these dessert bars with dates is to compare them to a favorite fudge bar, only these are far better! The fleshy, sweet pitted medjool dates are stuffed with walnuts then covered with a buttery cookie-like layer, and finally topped with pistachios. These date bars are every bit sweet and delicate; they will melt in your mouth causing a euphoric reaction. Don’t say I have not warned you! 🙂
Here is the step-by-step for these easy dessert bars:
Open the medjool dates partway and stuff each date with a walnut half. Close the dates tightly to enclose the walnut halves. Assemble the walnut-stuffed dates snugly in a single layer in the bottom of a lightly greased small container like this one. In a small non-stick pan, melt the butter and honey on medium-low heat. Add the coconut extract, then stir in the flour. Keep stirring until the flour turns golden brown, about 5 minutes. Pour the honey and flour mixture evenly on top of the dates filling in any gaps.
Let the mixture set, then top with the chopped pistachios pressing lightly with your hand.
Now carefully cut the date cake through into 9 small bars. For best results, cover the bars and refrigerate for one hour, or until ready to serve. Remove from the fridge about 10 minutes before serving.
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