Date barfi recipe

Here's a recipe for making Date Barfi, a delicious sweet treat:

Ingredients:

- 2 cups pitted dates

- 1 cup almonds, finely chopped

- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut

- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)

- 1/4 cup milk

- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

- A pinch of saffron strands (optional)

- Chopped pistachios for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat a non-stick pan or skillet on medium heat and dry roast the chopped almonds until they turn lightly golden and aromatic. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

2. In the same pan, add the ghee and let it melt. Once melted, add the dates and cook them on low heat, stirring continuously until they soften and become a thick paste-like consistency.

3. Add the milk to the pan and mix well. Continue cooking the mixture on low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens further and starts to leave the sides of the pan.

4. Add the cardamom powder and saffron strands (if using), and mix well to incorporate the flavors. Cook for an additional minute, then remove the pan from the heat.

5. Grease a square or rectangular baking dish with ghee or line it with parchment paper. Transfer the date mixture to the dish and spread it out evenly, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon.

6. Sprinkle the roasted almonds and desiccated coconut evenly over the top of the date mixture, gently pressing them down.

7. Allow the mixture to cool completely in the dish. Once cooled, refrigerate for a few hours or overnight to firm up.

8. Once chilled and firm, remove the Date Barfi from the dish and cut it into squares or diamond shapes. If desired, garnish each piece with chopped pistachios.

Your delicious Date Barfi is now ready to be enjoyed. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.