Pressed Date Cakes with Toasted Walnuts

Sticky pressed date cakes kneaded with barley flour, honey, and sesame oil, studded with toasted walnuts and a hint of coriander. They echo Rations Marked in Clay, where temple bakers worked barley rations by oven-light before the scribes arrived.

Serves 4

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Ingredients

• 2 cups pitted dates
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/3 cup barley flour
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions

1. 1Toast the walnuts and sesame seeds in a dry pan until fragrant then chop the walnuts coarsely.
2. 2In a food processor combine the dates, barley flour, ground coriander, honey and sesame oil then pulse until a sticky dough forms.
3. 3Transfer the mixture to a bowl and knead in the chopped walnuts and half the sesame seeds.
4. 4Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8-inch square pan to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
5. 5Sprinkle the remaining sesame seeds on top and press lightly then chill 15 minutes.
6. 6Cut into squares and serve.