Date Palm Jaggery Dessert Recipes for the Sweet Tooth
Date palm jaggery, often referred to as “nolen gur” in some regions, is a natural sweetener derived from the sap of date palm trees. It has a distinct flavor and is commonly used in desserts in many South Asian cuisines. Here are a few delightful dessert recipes that showcase the sweet and rich taste of date palm jaggery:
1. Nolen Gur Sandesh (Date Palm Jaggery Fudge):
Ingredients:
- 1 cup paneer (Indian cottage cheese), crumbled
- 1/2 cup date palm jaggery, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts for garnish (almonds, pistachios)
Instructions:
- Heat a non-stick pan on low heat. Add crumbled paneer and grated date palm jaggery.
- Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan.
- Add cardamom powder and mix well.
- Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- When the mixture is still warm, shape it into small rounds or any desired shape.
- Garnish with chopped nuts.
- Allow it to cool completely before serving.
2. Date Palm Jaggery Rice Pudding:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup date palm jaggery, grated
- 1/4 cup mixed dry fruits (raisins, chopped dates, cashews, almonds)
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook basmati rice with milk until the rice is soft and the mixture thickens.
- Add grated date palm jaggery and stir until it dissolves completely.
- Add cardamom powder and mix well.
- In a separate pan, lightly roast the mixed dry fruits.
- Add the roasted dry fruits to the rice pudding and mix.
- If using saffron, dissolve it in a tablespoon of warm milk and add it to the pudding.
- Allow the pudding to cool before serving. It can be served warm or chilled.
3. Nolen Gur Ice Cream:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup date palm jaggery, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- In another bowl, mix condensed milk, grated date palm jaggery, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture.
- Pour the mixture into a container and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Once set, scoop the ice cream and serve with a drizzle of date palm jaggery on top.
Tips:
- Adjust the quantity of date palm jaggery based on your sweetness preference.
- Experiment with additional spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor.
- Feel free to customize these recipes by adding your favorite nuts or dried fruits.
These date palm jaggery dessert recipes celebrate the unique sweetness of nolen gur, offering a delicious experience for anyone with a sweet tooth.