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Date Purée

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 4 side-dish servings

Ingredients

3

cups pitted dates (14 ounces)

1

(750-ml) bottle dry red wine

1

(3- to 4-inch) cinnamon stick

2

whole star anise

Special Equipment

parchment paper

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring all ingredients to a simmer, covered directly with a round of parchment paper, in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, then reduce heat and simmer until dates are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and discard spices.

    Step 2

    Transfer dates with a slotted spoon to a food processor. If cooking liquid measures more than about 1 cup, boil to reduce. Add to dates and purée until smooth.

    Step 3

    Force purée, a few tablespoons at a time, through a fine-mesh sieve with back of a wooden spoon into a small saucepan, discarding skins. Reheat over low heat, stirring occasionally, before serving.