Date Paste

RECIPE:

So with the Paleo diet I follow (Whole30) I can't use added sweeteners, not even if they are mostly natural (Stevia, honey, agave nectar, etc) so I have to use natural stuff to sweeten things from time to time. The problem is most things I use to sweeten stuff (mainly pineapple juice) is very runny, so I had to find an alternative. Well here it is, Date paste. It's juice fruit with some added water, and bam it provides a solution to many different needs! The only issue is (and if you know me, you all know i am IMPATIENT!) that it takes 2 days to make. Sadface I know, but once I made it, I realized what a blessing it is!

***All of my pictures of my date paste were on my old phone, which are lost to me now, I will get more pictures so you can see the process a little better, but for now this one will have to work! I wanted to get this recipe up for you guys ASAP because this paste can be used for so many wonderful things!

Ingredients:

Better pics to follow!

• Pitted dates
• Water

Equipment needed:

• Blender or Food processor
• 1 cup measuring cup 
• Container to store finished paste in

Step 1: Put 2 cups of dates and 2 cups of water in your blender pitcher, or a plastic bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at LEAST 8 hours, preferably 24.

Step 2: Uncover your dates and drain the water off of them. Save this water, you are going to need it in a minute.

Step 3: Add your 2 cups of dates back in to your blender or food processor and add at least 1 cup of the date water. (If you stored your dates in the blender pitcher you are already set....) Start your blender/processor and watch to make sure everything is getting mixed well. 

Step 4: Your date paste should be about the consistency of cool honey.....slightly liquid, but not as runny as water. You can add more of the water you drained to adjust the consistency as needed. Also this is a preference thing, if you want thicker paste that is fine too! I prefer mine a little less viscous because then it mixes easier when I am making my recipes.

Step 5: Once you have your paste to your liking transfer to your storage container and you are all set! (I find a quart mason jar works perfectly for this)