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| Dates Bites (Chinese) |
Introduction
The first time I came across a version of these Dates Bites (Chinese) was at a small tea shop on some back street in Suzhou. A very nice lady brought out a very small dish: glistening rounds of dates covered in a warm, sticky sauce with walnuts and a light sprinkle of sesame. They had a warm, nostalgic taste to them, like something you would have had during a little tea party or after a nice stroll. Over the last few years I have seen this concept, of dates or in this case, in red form, jujubes, being paired with softer nuts, seeds, and warm, spicy blends, an interesting twist, in cafes as far as Beijing and Brooklyn.
This Easy Dates Bites (Chinese) recipe keeps the spirit of a Traditional Dates Bites (Chinese) dish, easy to prepare, filled with warmth, and prepared to be shared, but even so, I have kept in mind the busy kitchens of the USA and Europe. I have kept it, the essence and tradition of it, easy to prepare, available, and bringable in lunchboxes, and picnic baskets. If you enjoy a softer sweet, and enjoy spiced snacks, these Dates Bites (Chinese) recipe are also for you. Enjoy.
Let's explore how to create Dates Bites (Chinese) using a few simple techniques to personalize them.
Ingredients
-Here’s a friendly measurement suitable for home chews. Grab Medjool dates for a softer and sweeter bite or dried Chinese red dates (jujubes) to hydrate for a more Chinese dimension. Jump right to it!
-300g (10.6 oz) pitted Medjool dates (approximately 12-14 large): or 350g (12.3 oz) dried Chinese red dates that have been pitted and soaked.
-100g (3.5 oz) roughly chopped walnut halves (or pecans)
-40g (1.5 oz) toasted sesame seeds (white or black)
-1 tablespoon (15 ml) light soy sauce or tamari (optional for enhancing umami)
-1 teaspoon (5 ml) honey or maple syrup (optional for binding purposes)
-1/2 teaspoon (1.5g) ground cinnamon or 1/4 teaspoon (0.5g) five-spice powder
-A pinch or two of flaky sea salt
-1 small orange zest (optional for added flavor)
-Finely ground sesame seeds or chopped pistachios for rolling
Preparation Steps
-Wash and soak red dates in hot water for 20 - 30 minutes until softened, and drain.
-Medjool dates are of course fiddly. Slice the dates in half, and chop them into medium sized pieces. Add them into the food processor.
-Add nuts and seasonings: While the food processor is running, add the chopped walnuts (keep some pieces aside for garnish), ground cinnamon or the five spice blend, soy sauce (if the recipe requires it), and honey or maple syrup and, if you have any, orange zest. Continue pulsing until the nuts and dates form a sticky coarse paste. Scrape down the processor sides and blend as needed.
-Shape the bites: Take 1 tablespoon (15ml) of the mixture into the palm of your hands and roll it into a small ball. With the oiled hands, gently press the ball down and place it on a small lined tray. You should roughly get 18-22 bites from this recipe.
-Finally coat each ball with your chosen chopped pistachios or the sesame seeds. Top each ball with either a half or a slither of red date for decoration.
-Add a scattering of flaky sea salt.
-Chill and serve: Chill the bites for a minimum of 20 minutes so that they can set and the flavors can come together. They go well with tea and coffee or can be served as part of a dessert board. They can be kept in the fridge for a week in an airtight container.
Tips & Variations
-To keep the recipe as Authentic Dates Bites (Chinese), swap Medjools for soaked, pitted Chinese red dates (jujubes) and use a bit of brown sugar during the pulse.
-The Easy Dates Bites (Chinese) recipe loses its non-vegan status by eliminating the honey and substituting with maple syrup. All other components are still plant-based.
-For an inviting texture, fold in 2 tablespoons of puffed rice or crushed roasted sesame brittle.
-For Spice swap, substitute a pinch of Sichuan pepper for a warmer dessert feel or vanilla and cardamom for a citrusy numbness.
-As a gift idea, the bites can be pressed into mini paper cups and the cups tied with a ribbon, placed in a small box. They are a lovely, health-conscious homemade gift.
Closing
The Dates Bites (Chinese) serve as an encouraging reminder that good ingredients pressed with intent can create a unforgettable snack. This Easy Dates Bites (Chinese) recipe balances sweet and savory, East and West, which makes it an easy weeknight treat as well as a delightful dish for gatherings. Did you know: dates and red dates have millennia of use in the Chinese kitchen and medicine for their natural sweetness and purported warming properties, so these bites are as much comfort as flavor. Try it and share it and come back for more recipes from around the world! I’m happy to suggest tea pairings, or a savory side to serve.