Spicy Lemon Date Spread
Have you ever tried to peel dates?
Yea… me neither. Except I totally tried. It was hard. It was futile.
Did you know you’re not supposed to peel dates? You’re not. All it takes is one text to a friend.. and you’ll know for sure.
Texting with sticky fingers. It’s just real. No biggie.
I love this spread. It’s bold. It’s how I want to live my whole life: sweet, spicy, tart, and good on everything.
Yea… that’s exactly how I want to live my life. Most days. Most days are tart days.
This spread is flavored with lemon zest, fresh grated ginger, earthy cumin, and spicy chili flakes. There’s also a load of fresh lemon juice. Just lovely. It packs a punch.
You saw the closeup. This is a less close up.
I just can’t resist. He’s all fluff.
This spread gets cooked down and pureed.
This is the cooked down part of the process.
Maybe I ate a hearty amount of spread just like this? So what. Stop staring.
I served this spicy sweet spread on warm garlic naan. It was divine! It was piled on. It was double dipped. It was alluringly spicy and irresistibly sweet. This spread would also be incredible on a turkey sandwich, or as a thick sauce with roasted chicken or pork, and smashed potatoes.
Think big! Live big too!
Spicy Lemon Date Spread
adapted just slightly from Party Like A Culinista
makes about 2 cups of spread
2 1/2 cups pitted, chopped dates (dates don’t get peeled)
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger (ginger gets peeled)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
scant 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon sea salt
warm naan or pita bread
extra virgin olive oil for serving
Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped dates, lemon juice, water, zest, ginger, and spices to the pan. Simmer until almost all of the water is evaporated. The dates will begin to break down, and the simmering mixture will resemble a very thick stew., about 30 minutes.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
Place mixture in the bowl of a food processor fit with a blade attachment. Puree mixture until smooth. That’s it! Serve it up.
Spread is delicious warm and at room temperature. Spread will last, covered in the fridge, for up to 5 days.
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Oooooh, this sounds amazing. My favorite flavor combos ever in the world. Hello Christmas day appetizer!
Yum! Making this tomorrow for Brie & Arugula sandwiches on multigrain! Totes excited!
Oh my goodness, that sounds divine. Kudos for your taste, my friend. Brie and arugula=the best things EVER.
Thanks for featuring the recipe Joy joy!! Can we eat it now?
I loved the bit about sticky texting!
I love how you put the “less close-up” pictures up too! It’s all so “real life” as you call it (I call it human!) I enjoy reading your posts and listening to your podcasts. Hope your book becomes a big success!
You caught me by surprise right at the end! I thought for sure it would be strictly a sweet sauce. But dates + lemon + ginger + garlic naan … that’s an intriguing combination. I will have to try it out for sure!
this spread sounds amazing! I love dates and I love all the spices you threw in there to jazz it up, sounds perfect! I will also be that person who would double dip that spread :)
I totally want this in front of me right now, so I can stuff my face.
I am thinking this may be a very unique addition to my homemade goodies basket this year! Thanks, Joy!
Oh my goodness this sounds tasty! Seems I have dates on the brain these days, and this would be a perfect way to indulge in that…
when I read the title for this I thought it was a Spicy Lemon spread for a date…as in the perfect spread for a date. my mind is clearly not on the ball! lol.
I think i’m gonna try this one…
Soo funny that you thought to peel the dates! Sometimes we just think of making things so much harder than they need to be! Glad you didn’t have to peel all of them! :D
The combination of this gorgeous spread with garlic naan sounds heavenly!
That is going to go so well with the cold turkey on Boxing day. They have to be some of my favourite spices and flavours. A little tip if I may – if you can get hold of them use Medjool dates, they are in a league of their own. I put together a Moroccan Spiced Green Tomato Chutney earlier in the year ready for the cold Christmas turkey, but I think I might have to try this too – where do you come up with such exciting recipes, Joy!
We should always be bold. Bold as this spread. Bold as life is.
Hi Joy,
I love dates soooo much! I am looking forward to making this recipe! I just discovered your blog and will follow you and see what great things you come up with in the kitchen. I am looking forward to your book! Hope you have a great Christmas! xoxo Kim
I’ve never thought of using dates for anything other than eating! We always get some locally this time of year from Sphinx Date Ranch in Phoenix. Might have to try this…
PS-I made your Honey Cranberry Cornmeal Quick Bread for edible Christmas gifts the second year in a row. It’s always a hit!
I love reading your blog! You always make me laugh! Great outlook on life:)
Where did you get the super cute napkin or dish towel?
Good new/ bad news review.
Good news- almost no dishes to wash because I used the pot for the mixing bowl and used my immersion blender in place of food processor.
Bad news- don’t lick your immersion blender like you do your mixer paddle no matter how super awesome this spread is! Just don’t do it- you’ll be tempted.
Just made this recipe and it’s absolutely delicious! Thanks Joy and Orange Julius.
YUM!
that sounds fantastic!
i think i’ll use an immersion blender at the end though! less messy!
thanks again as ALWAYS for the great recipes!
happy new year!
xx
thinking i’ll try this with pakoras and papadums!
ohhhhh!
can’t wait!
Love the cat photo! :) I’ve never seen a date spread like this before, sounds yummy.
I made this yesterday as a belated gift for a couple coworkers who gave me gifts for Christmas. I’m not sure it’s going to make it out of my refrigerator. I could down a cup of this in one go. I’m not saying my digestive tract would be happy about such quantities of dates, but my mouth sure would be.
Made this the other day and layered it with peanut butter on top of puffed kamut cakes for an ultra-healthy version of pb&j! So delicious!
This sounds so awesome, even though I can’t quite imagine how it must taste–I don’t have much experience with dates (always went for figs instead). I love all of the other ingredients so much that I obviously have to make this now.
I made this and I am totally addicted to it! I have been eating it on baked chickpea pancakes (I can’t eat gluten) and it is fabulous. Thank you so much for the recipe!
This looks totally awesome. I’m going to pick up dates on the way home and make this and pack it in my lunches for the week!
Do you think this could work with a cheese plate. It looks wonderful.
TOTALLY!!
This stuff is amazing! Made it as an appetizer tonight, followed by a Moroccan-style chicken dish and orange + black olive salad. We love the spicy kick!