Date and Quinoa Bars

Ingredients

• Half a kilo (about 1 lb) dates
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons quinoa
• 1 cup mixed nuts, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• For more desserts from Umm Taha see: Maamoul Tart

Method

1. Chop the nuts coarsely or break them by hand.
2. In a dry skillet (no oil), lightly toast the nuts, then set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the dates and oil and heat over medium until the dates soften and become easy to process.
4. Pulse the dates in a food processor until smooth.
5. In the same skillet, lightly toast the quinoa over low heat for about five minutes.
6. Add the date paste to the quinoa in the skillet and stir, then add cardamom and the toasted nuts and mix well.
7. Turn off the heat, and while still warm (use gloves), mix the ingredients by hand as much as possible.
8. Let the mixture cool slightly.
9. On a clean surface, sprinkle a little quinoa and a few pistachios. Shape the cooled date-quinoa paste into a log and roll it over the quinoa and pistachios until coated on all sides, then wrap in aluminum foil.
10. Chill the wrapped log in the refrigerator for about an hour.
11. Remove the foil and slice into medium-thick rounds.
12. Note: You can replace quinoa with sesame or shredded coconut, or substitute dates with dried apricots or other dried fruit. If using citrus fruits, add two tablespoons of honey while processing.