Nicky Dear Health Coach

This is one of my favourite recipes from ‘The Saffron Tales ‘ recipe book by Yasmin Khan – a lovely selection of Persian dishes, which a friend of mine bought me.

It is a lovely combination, but again something to have on a special occasion or just a small slice as they are quite high in sugar, despite having some very healthy ingredients.

You will need:

75g Walnuts

4 Cardamon pods (or ½ tsp ground cardamon)

175g Dates pitted

4 cloves ground

½ tsp Cinnamon

200ml water

175g wholemeal plain flour

100g porridge oats

125g brown sugar

½ tsp baking powder

Pinch salt

175g unsalted butter

-Preheat oven 180 degrees.

-Grease a 20cm square baking tin and line with parchment

-Grind the walnuts in a spice grinder.

-Place the dates, Cardamon, Cloves & Cinnamon in the water in a small saucepan and simmer for about 8 mins until the mixture forms a smooth paste. -Take off the heat and add the walnuts , leave to cool.

-Put oats, Flour, Sugar,  Baking powder and Salt in a bowl.

-Add butter and combine with the tips of your fingers to form crumble.

-Press half the oat mix into the bottom of the tin and press down firmly.

-Smooth the date mixture on top and press down with the back of a spoon to cover the base evenly.

-Top with the remaining oat mixture and press down lightly.

-Bake for 45 mins until the oats are golden.

-Allow to cool and cut into small squares.