Best Al Tamar Al Mahshi Stuffed Dates Recipes

BRAISED CORNISH HEN WITH APRICOTS AND DATES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Rehydrate the apricots by covering them with boiling water and steeping them for 10 minutes before draining and slicing into quarters. Pit and roughly chop the dates, mix them with the apricots, and set aside. Combine the sugar with all of the liquid ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes, then set aside.
• Season the Cornish Hens, inside and out, with salt and pepper. Place 1 bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme inside each bird and close the body cavity by tieing with twine or with a skewer or toothpicks so that the bird holds its shape.
• Brush the hens with olive oil, place them breast side down in a roasting pan, and roast for 20 minutes. At the end of 20 minutes, pour off any excess fat from the pan turn the birds breast side up and roast 20 minutes more. At the end of this 20 minute roasting period, add the apricots, dates, and the liquid to the roasting pan, and braise the contents of the pan together for another 25 minutes. Check the oven every so often to see that the liquid has not all evaporated. If it has, add enough water to keep the bottom third of the hens moist.
• At the end of the cooking time, allow the hens to rest 10 minutes before serving. Place one hen on each dish and pour some of the apricot and date sauce over the top.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED PEANUT BUTTER-STUFFED DATES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If the dates do not already have slits in them, cut a slit lengthwise along each date, making sure not to cut all the way through (it should look like a little canoe).
• Stir together the peanut butter and peanuts in a medium bowl until combined. Stuff about 1 teaspoon into each date and set aside.
• Combine the chocolate and coconut oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, stirring once halfway through, about 1 minute 30 seconds.
• Dip 1 date into the chocolate and turn it a few times with a fork until completely coated. Use the fork to remove the date to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dates and chocolate, working with 1 date at a time. Sprinkle the tops of the dates with the flaky sea salt. Refrigerate until the chocolate has hardened, about 30 minutes.
• Microwave the caramels in a small microwave-safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring in between each, until the caramel can be drizzled, about 1 minute. Drizzle the caramel over the dates and refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes. Serve right away or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

CHORIZO-STUFFED DATES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the pit from each date with your fingers. Slip the sausage out of its casings and stuff each date with an almond-size piece (each will be about 1/2 ounce) of chorizo. Add 1/2 inch of water to a small baking pan and place the dates in a single layer stuffed-side up in the pan. Bake until the chorizo is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Lift the dates out of the pan and top each with hot pepper jelly, if using.

SMOKED ALMOND STUFFED DATES

Steps:

• Cut a slit into each date. Set the nuts into the dates with the nuts resting lengthwise on the dates. The shapes of the almond and date are similar. Don't wedge the nut too deep. It should rest half-in and half-out of the date. Arrange filled fruit on a small serving plate.

COUSCOUS TFAYA WITH CHICKEN AND MAJHOUL DATES

Steps:

• Pour the couscous in a large bowl, add salt, to taste, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1 cup lukewarm water, 4 tablespoons of the melted butter. Mix and let rest for 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed.
• Preheat a thick pot. Add olive oil and heat. Add Cornish hen or quail and brown for a few minutes. Add the chopped and julienned onion, parsley, remaining butter, spices, salt, and 2 cups water. Cook for 15 minutes.
• Add honey, garbanzo beans, raisins, and simmer for another 15 minutes. Add water as needed. Add the dates. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the dates are hot.
• Separate the couscous grains by rubbing both hands together. Make sure there are no lumps. Fill the bottom of the couscoussiere (or pot) with 1 1/2 gallons water. Bring to a boil. Put the couscoussiere (or fine-meshed sieve) on top. When the vapor comes up, pour the couscous in the top (sieve), and let it steam for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender and spongy.
• On a large platter, spread a 1-inch thick layer of couscous. Add some pieces of Cornish hen or quail around the middle. Then pour over the surface onions, raisins, and garbanzo beans.
• Garnish with dates, the roasted almonds, and the rest of the sauce. Serve hot.