Date Syrup as a Sweetner

One of the sweet foods  we have added to our diet since removing all refined sugar is what I call 'Date Syrup.'
Although it really isn't a syrup but a simple mixture of dried dates in water and then blended.

One of the food uses we use it for is on our soaked oats that we have for breakfast a couple of times a week. Remembering it is Winter here and a hot breakfast is a great start to the day.
Besides, I am not sure that Stephen will ever get used to a smoothie as correct breakfast food!
In his opinion it is still a drink and not worthy of the name food.

However as a former lover of brown sugar and cream on my oats for breaky, ( and I could still be tempted by this) I admit I found that adding honey was not really doing it for me in regards to sweetener on porridge.

So it came to me that if we could have dates in a soft syrupy form and add those we might be getting somewhere near that lovely creamy sweet porridge I love.

The way I decided to this was from the way I prepared dates for date cake:
I simply put a 500g packet of dried dates into a bowl add two cups of boiling water and 2 teaspoons of bicarb soda .
I generally leave this overnight but it does not have to be that long, at least allow it to cool.

Then pop it in to the blender and pulverize it. You may need to add a little bit of water to your mix as you go, it is a bit of see how you go recipe.

Refrigerate when done and add it to the soaked oats recipe below.

Our Porridge Recipe - adapted from  Nourishing Traditions

This serves our family of 12
6 cups rolled oats add 7 cup warm filtered water plus 14 tablespoons whey, yoghurt, kefir or buttermilk
½ teaspoon sea salt
6 cups  water
 For highest benefits and best assimilation, porridge should be soaked overnight or even longer. Once soaked, oatmeal cooks up in less than 5 minutes—truly a fast food. (Note: Those with severe milk allergies can use lemon juice or vinegar in place of whey, yoghurt, kefir or buttermilk.)


Mix oats with warm water mixture, cover and leave in a warm place for at least 7 hours and as long as 24 hours.
Bring an additional 6 cups of water to a boil with sea salt.
Add soaked oats, reduce heat, cover and simmer several minutes.
Remove from heat and let stand for a few minutes.
Serve with plenty of butter and date syrup from above



Blessings to you and your homes,