Healthy Snacking: Dates Burfi

All of us love to snack be it some kind of savories or sweets. What if that snack is healthy too? To that effect , I tried my hand at making some date burfies. For people who want to go all vegan can substitute ghee (clarified butter) with coconut oil as well. So let's start cooking!!

Dates Burfi: Indians love burfi, primarily made out of condensed milk and say cashew. I tried to give it healthy twist by making them from dates with no sugar added. You can change the ingredients as per your wish.

Ingredients: Dates ( de-seeded and cut in small pieces) - 800 gms; Dry Fruits : Walnuts - 100 gms, Cashew - 100 gms, Almonds - 100 gms, Pistachio - 4 tbsp, Chironji (optional) - 4 tbsp; Dry coconut - desiccated (optional) - 25 gms; Poppy seeds - 4 tbsp; Nutmeg - 1.5; Cinnamon - 1/2 inch; Green cardamom ( skin removed)- 15; Ghee - 4 tbsp

Steps:

i. Cut all the dry fruits except pistachio and chironji in small pieces. Dry roast them in a pan and keep it aside.

ii. Cut pistachios in thin slices.

iii. Grind the nutmeg, cinnamon and green cardamom seeds into a fine powder.

iv. Heat ghee in a pan until it melts and then add poppy seeds into it . Roast them for 2 minutes.

v. Now add the dates, dry fruits from step (i), chironji, dry coconut and powder prepared in step (iii).

vi. Mix all things well over a low flame until everything is mixed properly. Keep mixing for around 8 minutes. Ensure that it doesn't get burned at the bottom. Turn off the gas and take it out in a wide pan to cool for 2 minutes.

vii. Now apply some ghee on your hand or coconut oil if you are making it fully vegan.

viii. Make cylindrical dumplings of the dates mixture and roll them over sliced pistachios. The ghee/coconut oil will help them stick as well as give the surface a shine.

ix. Wrap them in aluminum foil and refrigerate them for 2-3 hours. The foil will help them keep their fragrance.

x. Once cooled cut them in small pieces and serve!!!