flipDates with honey and sesame, provisions for the crossing
Dates with honey and sesame, provisions for the crossing
Why this dish? The bark of Ra had to cross the twelve hours of night in the Duat, where Apophis lay in ambush. These dates preserved in honey, which keep for a long time, evoke the provisions of a long journey — a sweet viaticum deposited as an offering to sustain the sun until its rebirth.
Pitted dates, stuffed with toasted sesame and rolled in honey, which keep for weeks. A portable confection and fruit offering, sweet and sticky, made to endure the long journey of the night.
You fill your baskets with dates and honey to sustain your sun in MY kingdom of darkness… touching. Roll them in sesame, seal them with honey so they brave time as the traveler braves the night. But know, mortal: sweet as they are, they will melt before I relent. Eat your provisions while the light lasts.
- •Ripe dates — one basket (base, natural preservation)
- •Sesame seeds — a handful (crunchy stuffing)
- •Honey — as much as needed (coating and preservation)
- •Chinese cinnamon or cardamom (imported luxury) — a pinch (perfume (optional))
Dates with honey and sesame, provisions for the crossing
Pitted dates, stuffed with toasted sesame and rolled in honey, which keep for weeks. A portable confection and fruit offering, sweet and sticky, made to endure the long journey of the night.
Why this dish? The bark of Ra had to cross the twelve hours of night in the Duat, where Apophis lay in ambush. These dates preserved in honey, which keep for a long time, evoke the provisions of a long journey — a sweet viaticum deposited as an offering to sustain the sun until its rebirth.
You fill your baskets with dates and honey to sustain your sun in MY kingdom of darkness… touching. Roll them in sesame, seal them with honey so they brave time as the traveler braves the night. But know, mortal: sweet as they are, they will melt before I relent. Eat your provisions while the light lasts.
Ingredients (period version)
- Ripe dates — one basket (base, natural preservation)
- Sesame seeds — a handful (crunchy stuffing)
- Honey — as much as needed (coating and preservation)
- Chinese cinnamon or cardamom (imported luxury) — a pinch (perfume (optional))
Ingredients
- Pitted Medjool dates — 20 (base)
- Sesame seeds — 50 g (stuffing)
- Honey — 3 tbsp (coating)
- Ground cinnamon or cardamom — 1 pinch (perfume (optional))
Method
- Toast the sesame seeds dry for a few minutes until golden; set aside.
- Slit the dates, remove the pit and open them like a boat.
- Fill each date with a spoonful of toasted sesame mixed with a little honey and the chosen spice.
- Close slightly, then roll the dates in honey and the remaining sesame.
- Place in an airtight container: they keep for several weeks in a dry place.
How it was made : Dates and honey were among the few naturally preservable foods in Egypt; they are found in funerary deposits intended to feed the deceased for eternity. Sesame and imported spices (cinnamon from the East) marked valuable offerings. Honey, antibacterial, sealed and preserved the fruits.
The contemporary twist : Served as "midnight sun bites," dusted with a veil of black and golden sesame: the duality of day/night in one bite.
Sources : Food deposits from Egyptian tombs (dates, honey, fruits) · William J. Darby, Paul Ghalioungui & Louis Grivetti, "Food: The Gift of Osiris"
Apophis · Charactorium
