Just as Ramadan and fasting are synonymous, so are Fasting and Dates. You will not find any household that is observing the holy month of Ramadan without dates. Dates have a great significance, and the tradition of eating them go back to the 7th century. I won’t give you a lesson in history about them, but I will tell you why they are the best thing to have after fasting . During the period of Ramadan, when fasting lasts from sunrise to sunset, the body can develop mild health problems such as headaches, low blood sugar, and lethargy. To avoid such problems, one should carefully monitor their eating habits once fasting for the day has ended. Dates are an excellent source of fiber, sugar, magnesium, potassium, and have carbohydrates which will aid the body in maintaining health. The carbohydrates found in dates also make the fruit a slower digesting food, much better than fried or fatty foods which digest fast and leave one hungry for more!
Having told you that, here’s how the inspiration for these madeleines came about … Every evening at Iftar ( fast breaking time) our table has these staples – Dates, Oranges, 1 other fruit and a soup or a snack. A week into fasting and I’m already bored of the regular and was thinking tomorrow I want to break my fast with cake. Well as you might already know I simply adore cake, and I believe life is too short and one must have cake everyday. In any form or shape. A layered cake would’ve been too much, so I thought madeleines would be prefect bite sized cuties. Flavours … why not do the Ramadan theme … Dates n Star Anise and to add that zing the oranges ! I have to tell you this recipe is a keeper. Its probably the magic of Ramadan that makes everything taste so good and perfect, but these Madeleines turned out really unexpected. They are soft , just perfectly sweet with that light hint of the star anise and the orangey flavour kicks right in. My perfect Ramadan Madeleines
Ingredients
makes 24 madeleines
- 150 gms pitted and chopped dates
- 3 tablespoons of your favourite orange marmalade (make sire they have those delicious orangey bits in them )
- 200 ml hot water
- 1tsp Soda Bi Carb
- 2-3 Star Anise
- pinch of salt
- 170 gms flour
- 60 gms cane sugar
- 60 gms butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1tsp baking powder
Oooooh they look gorgeous… Nice flavors…
wow. looks amazing!! i love madeleines-where did you find your mold tray? great recipe. cant wait to try it! thanks!!
Basal Hey , thanks so much , i bought these mold from Hong Kong. Tou could easily buy these off Amazomn too.
Vimitha thank you
These look absolutely stunning. Your photographs are so beautiful.
Wow these look absolutely amazing!
Do you recommend a silicone mold or a stainless steel type mold?
Also what type of camera do you use for you photos?
That’s a great way to incorporate dates into the fast breaking meal. They look amazing. I’d once made some date muffins that were pretty good too. Try those too sometime
That’s a great way to incorporate dates into the fast breaking meal. They look amazing. I\\\’d once made some date muffins that were pretty good too. Try those too sometime
That\’s a great way to incorporate dates into the fast breaking meal. They look amazing. I\\\\\\\’d once made some date muffins that were pretty good too. Try those too sometime
Good work Kajal!
“Well as you might already know I simply adore cake, and I believe life is too short and one must have cake everyday. In any form or shape.”
One hundred percent true!:). No one should fall into the stereotype, specially with your cooking skills it will be shame:).
Tina, thank you for your sweet comment
Mimi, I used a Tin mold.
Avanika, Dates are so good in cake !
David, haha you agree don’t you
Great Pizza site BTW 
Thanks for the date recipe! I will have to try it.
That looks amazing. Your pictures make me hungry everyday
Have you got a professional photographer? How do you make them look so amazing