Date & Walnut Slice

As we hibernate in winter we often crave sweets - try this simple Moroccan inspired treat with dates, ghee, walnuts and sesame seeds - just don't eat too many!

Ingredients:

1 & 1/2 cups walnut halves

2 Tbsp sesame seeds

100g ghee (make your own)

600g pitted dried dates, roughly chopped

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C and line the base of a slice tin or square baking tin with baking paper. Spread nuts on the baking tray and roast for 5 mins or until lightly toasted. Tip onto to board and chop roughly. Now bake sesame seeds on the tray for a few mins or until golden - tip into bowl for later.

Melt ghee in large saucepan, add dates and cook, covered, over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the dates soften. Remove from heat. Using the back of a spoon or a spatula dipped in cold water, spread half of the dates over the base of the prepared tin. Scatter the nuts on top and press into the dates. Spread the remaining date mixture over the nuts. Smooth the surface with wet fingers and press down firmly.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and press lightly into dates. Set aside and when cool, remove mixture from tin using sides of baking paper. Cut into small diamonds or squares to serve.