Fresh Delicious Liquid Sweetener (Date Syrup)

You can use this syrup in place of honey, maple syrup, rice syrup, or agave.

Date Syrup Two Ways

3 cups pitted dates
4 1/2 cups water

Place water and dates in a medium pan, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 30 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally and squishing dates with the back of the spoon.  The harder and dryer the dates were to start the longer the cooking time.  They should turn to mush.  You choose how you would like to finish your syrup.  The second way yields a more traditional syrup where the first is more similar to a syrupy puree.

1.  You may use an immersion blender to blend until very smooth or wait until the mixtures cools and pour into a blender and blend until very smooth.  Either way, if you are unable to get a completely smooth texture pour it though a strainer.  Store, covered in the fridge. 

2.  Or, after the cooking time, pour the mixture into a cheesecloth lined strainer placed over a bowl.  Use a spoon to force as much liquid into the bowl as possible.  Fold the cheesecloth over the mixture and place something heavy on top of it for an hour to get out everybit of liquid.  When it is cool enough to handle use your hands to squeeze out every last drop.  Place liquid in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for about a half hour, stirring often.  The mixture will reduce down to a cup or a little less.  It will thicken as it cools.  Store in the fridge.  The flavor reminds me of caramel.

The flavor sort of reminds me of caramel.  Delicious.