Recipe: An unctuous winter loaf of dates, walnuts and saffron

Dates are considered an Ayurvedic medicine, thanks to their deeply nourishing and unctuous properties, as well as being a good source of fibre, iron, sweetness and energy. They also contain B complex, calcium and magnesium which many people are deficient in.

Dates are sometimes called the ‘bread of the dessert’ or ‘the cake of the poor’, owing to their natural sweetness and relatively easy availability. Considered to be the oldest fruit in the world, date fossils ‘date’ back almost 50 million years, when dinosaurs were still around. The Latin word for date is phoenix dactylifera, referring to a coastal region in ancient Greece called Phoenicia where this wise old fruit is thought to have originated from. Greek mythology linked dates to immortality, comparing this fruit to the Phoenix, a bird who would burst into flames every 500 years and be reborn from its own ashes. Date palms themselves are highly resilient, surviving in hot and dry desert enrivonments as long as there is water available, and their ‘fingers’ are the clusters of dates that grow. Today, they are harvested largely in the Middle East and North Africa.

From the Ayurvedic perspective, the benefits of dates come from their unctuous, cooling and heavy qualities which help to support Vata (air and ether) and Pitta (fire and water) dosha. Some of the medicinal uses of dates include:

1. Dates are considered a tonic for the nervous system, strengthening and nourishing the body;

2. As an aphrodisiac and natural fertility support;

3. Used to treat excess heat, thirst and a burning sensation in the body;

4. Contain phytochemicals that lower cholesterol;

5. Reduce the risk of cancer and cardiac disease, although they should be eaten in moderation as they are heavy to digest.

Thanks to their easy availability and high nutritional value, Ayurveda recommends eating dates in a myriad of different ways, including as in warm smoothie with milk and cardamom, soaked in ghee as a nutritional rasayana (rejuvenative), as a sweet treat at the end of a meal or as a simple energy source when breaking fast, which is observed by Muslims during Ramadan. My personal favourite is a sneaky snack of a date stuffed with a small walnut, half a teaspoon of tahini (sesame seed paste) and half a teaspoon of honey - the perfect end to a meal!

The combination of dates, walnuts and saffron in a savoury loaf provides a comforting addition to a winters day as an occasional snack or breakfast dish. Walnuts provide a good source of protein, and the saffron helps to assimilate nutrition and detoxify the mind and body.

Dates are a great pantry staple thanks to their many uses and good shelf life.

Date, walnut and saffron loaf (15 serves)

Ingredients

• 270g deseeded and chopped dates

• 5 strands saffron

• 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup lukewarm milk

• 1/4 cup unsalted melted butter

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 3/4 cups sorghum or spelt flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 tsp cinnamon powder

• 1 tsp nutmeg powder

• 100g chopped walnuts

Method

Preheat the oven to 170 deg C/ 340 deg F.

In a small bowl, mix together the dates, saffron and lukewarm milk, and let it soak for 15 minutes. Once soaked, put the mixture into a food processor and blend to a smooth paste.

In a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter, yogurt, eggs, vanilla and date paste, and mix well. Sift in the flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg, and mix until well incorporated. Add in the chopped walnuts and mix through.

Line a loaf tin with parchment and pour the batter in evenly. Place in the centre of the over and bake for 45-50 minutes, until a skewer entered into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

Allow the loaf to cool for 20 minutes, and drizzle a tablespoon of ghee and maple syrup on top halfway through cooling for extra moisture and some sweetness. Cut into slices and serve as a breakfast or mid-morning snack.

Adding fibre, protein and a gentle sweetness to your day,

can help keep sugar cravings and fatigue at bay!

“When one of you breaks his fast, let him break it with dates for they are blessed. If they are not found, let him break it with water for it is pure.”

— Prophet Muhammad