When Boston Boy & I visited LA, his uncle whipped together this incredible middle eastern cauliflower dish.  And when he explained how easy it was (tahini + date syrup + cauliflower = wow), I had to try it as soon as possible.  just one itsy bitsy problem- there is no date syrup to be found in the DMV!  I searched high and low, and once I had come to terms with the Great Date Syrup Shortage of 2k12, I knew what i had to do…

Make my own!  

So, this “syrup” didn’t really turn out syrupy in the maple sense.  It was actually more the consistency of tahini.  But it tasted delicious and was the perfect substitute for date syrup in the absence of the store-bought stuff.

You’ll need (for two cups of syrup)

36 dates, pitted and diced
2 cups water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.  Blend the mixture in a food processor or blender and let cool before using.

Ta da!  Date Syrup.

xoxo

the hungry texans