Yvonne Maffei’s Dates With Cream and Chopped Pistachios

Recipe from Yvonne Maffei

Adapted by Julia Moskin

Updated July 7, 2020

  • Nathan Weber for The New York Times
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Total Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(394)
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Dates and dairy are ancient staples of the Middle East. This recipe, from Yvonne Maffei, who writes the popular cooking and nutrition blog My Halal Kitchen, combines the two into a luxurious dessert, for Ramadan or other feasts, with very little effort from the cook. —Julia Moskin

Featured in: During Ramadan, Dates Are a Unifying Staple

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Ingredients

Yield:6 to 12 servings

  • 12 large medjool dates

  • 24 whole almonds (preferably blanched), walnuts or pecans

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons crème fraîche

  • Freshly grated zest of 1 lemon or ½ orange (about 2 teaspoons)

  • 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped pistachios

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Rinse and dry the dates. Make a clean cut along the side of each date to open, and remove the pit.

  2. Step 2

    Stuff each date with 2 whole almonds and lightly pinch closed. (The recipe can be made up to this point up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container.)

  3. Step 3

    When ready to serve, arrange dates cut sides up on a plate or platter. Drizzle on the crème fraîche, making a dollop on each date. Sprinkle on the citrus zest, then the chopped pistachios. Serve immediately, as finger food or on plates with a small fork and knife.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
394 user ratings
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Comments

Jac

I served these at a party, and stuffed them with Pistachios instead of almonds. I served some with Creme Fraiche and others with an orange ginger yogurt, another with a yogurt with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger. They were a HIT!!! The most popular item at the party. The plates looked lovely as well because I used lemon, lime and orange zest to differentiate flavors. These will now be my special party food!

Caroline

I mixed half creme fraiche and half goat cheese. It was delicious.

sandy

Gives a new and outstanding meaning to "date night". I substituted goat yogurt for the creme fraiche. Worked beautifully

Jutta

This recipe sounds very good, like a simpler, less sweet, paired down "cannoli stuffed" date recipe on my favorite brand's website. YUM! I never thought to rinse dates before use. Doesn't say to on the package nor in the brand's website FAQs. Will look into it!

Meinmunich

Made with walnuts and we liked it even better than with the almonds.

julia longpre

Made these last night stuffed with a walnut and used Greek yogurt. This is the healthiest dessert I have ever had but the flavours are soo good. The lemon zest makes it next level. Already thinking about what middle eatern dish i can make for dinner so we can have this for dessert. This is a must try!

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Credits

Adapted from Yvonne Maffei, My Halal Kitchen

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