Ingredients
Dates
- 500 gkhalas dates, at the rutab or tamr stage
To serve
- Arabic coffee, gahwa, with cardamom
- small cups and a dallah pot
For stuffed dates
- 24khalas dates
- 24whole blanched almonds, or walnut halves
- a little orange blossom water
- sesame seeds, toasted, to roll
Directions
- Keep tamr dates in an airtight container in a cool dark place. They keep for many months this way and improve slightly.
- Arrange the dates in a shallow bowl or on a flat dish. Do not pile them high, since they should be easy to take one at a time.
- Serve Arabic coffee alongside, made light and scented with cardamom.
- Pour it in small cups filled only a third full. The host pours and continues pouring until the guest shakes the cup.
- Take a date, then a sip of coffee, which is the intended order. Remove the stone carefully without splitting the date in two.
- Press the date closed around the nut. Brush them very lightly with orange blossom water. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds if you want.
- Arrange them on a plate and serve them at room temperature. Chilled dates lose most of their flavour, so take them out ahead.
Technique
- Rutab is the soft fresh stage and tamr the dried stage; khalas is sold as both.
- White specks are crystallised sugar and are harmless, but fuzzy growth is mould.
- Serve at room temperature, since chilling flattens the flavour.
Substitutions
- Any good soft date variety, though khalas has a distinct caramel note.
- Walnut halves in place of almonds for stuffing.
Variations
- Stuffed with almonds and rolled in sesame.
- Stuffed with soft cheese, which is a modern serving.
- Blended into date syrup, dibs, for pouring over bread.
History
A prized variety grown at Liwa and in the eastern oases, central to Emirati hospitality and Ramadan.
Frequently asked questions
What is Khalas dates?
Khalas dates is a snack from United Arab Emirates: amber caramel-flavoured dates served with coffee to arriving guests. A prized variety grown at Liwa and in the eastern oases, central to Emirati hospitality and Ramadan.
How long does Khalas dates take to make?
Khalas dates takes 10 min of preparation and none of cooking. The recipe makes serves 8 with coffee. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Khalas dates?
Yes, within limits. Any good soft date variety, though khalas has a distinct caramel note. Walnut halves in place of almonds for stuffing.
What is the most important thing to get right in Khalas dates?
Arrange the dates in a shallow bowl or on a flat dish. Do not pile them high, since they should be easy to take one at a time.
