Emirati Al Madrooba Dish (Printer version)

Sweet dates and fragrant ghee combine for a creamy, energy-packed breakfast spread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Date Paste

01 - 14 oz pitted Medjool dates (soft, fresh preferred)

→ Fat

02 - 3 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)

→ Flavoring (optional)

03 - 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
04 - Pinch of sea salt

# Directions:

01 - If using whole dates, remove pits and chop coarsely.
02 - In a medium nonstick skillet, heat ghee over low heat until melted.
03 - Add dates to the skillet and mash while stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or spatula for 3–5 minutes until mixture becomes soft and thick.
04 - Sprinkle in ground cardamom and sea salt if desired, stirring until fully incorporated and the paste is glossy.
05 - Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature with flatbread or as a spread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in barely 15 minutes, perfect for those mornings when you want something special without the fuss.
  • The creamy, naturally sweet paste feels indulgent but is pure whole food—no refined sugar, just the honest richness of dates and ghee.
  • It's the kind of dish that tastes like home, whether or not it's actually your home cuisine.
02 -
  • Don't rush the mashing; low heat and time create that creamy texture, while high heat will brown the dates and make them grainy instead of smooth.
  • If your dates are particularly dry, add a tiny splash of water (a teaspoon at a time) to help them break down—some batches of dates vary wildly in moisture.
  • Freshness matters; old ghee that smells off-putting will overpower the delicate sweetness, so taste yours before committing it to the pan.
03 -
  • If you want silky-smooth paste without any grain at all, pulse your pitted dates in a food processor first, then fold them into the warm ghee—this cuts cooking time and guarantees texture.
  • Buy whole cardamom pods, toast them lightly in a dry pan, then grind them yourself; the flavor difference is profound and worth the small extra effort.
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