Imqaret – The date slice recipe that everyone in Malta LOVES

dates

🥗Healthier: dried figs

💰Cheaper: raisins

Dried figs provide a similar sweetness and texture.

pastry dough

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pastry dough

💰Cheaper: phyllo dough

Whole wheat adds fiber, while phyllo is often more affordable.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey offers natural sweetness, while brown sugar is often less expensive.

cinnamon

🥗Healthier: nutmeg

💰Cheaper: allspice

Nutmeg gives a warm flavor, while allspice is often cheaper.

Make a flax egg and set aside.

Sift 100g soy flour, 100g wholemeal flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp xanthan gum together.

Add 1 tbsp coconut sugar and mix well.

In a bowl, combine 50g vanilla soy yogurt, the previously prepared flax egg, 40g olive oil, and 15g sunflower seed butter.

Add 1 tsp orange blossom water and mix well.

Rub all ingredients together and add a little water at a time to form your dough.

Knead until the dough comes together, then wrap in cling film and refrigerate.

Zest a lemon and an orange.

In a saucepan, combine 400g pitted medjool dates, lemon and orange zest, 1 tbsp licorice liqueur, 1 tsp orange blossom water, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tsp spices (cloves, nutmeg & cinnamon), juice of 1 orange, and 1/2 cup water.

Stir on medium heat, keep stirring and mashing to form a paste.

Dust work surface with flour and knead the dough to soften, adding water if needed.

Flatten the dough and roll it out to about 3cm thickness.

Cut sides to form a rectangle.

Place date paste on one side and flatten it out.

Wet the edge of the pastry with water, enclose the filling into a parcel, and flatten it.

Cut into 6 slices and brush with olive oil.

Bake at 185°C for around 20 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens