Creamy Date Pots

I have been meaning to make these creamy dessert pots for a while now. But truth to be to told, January was a long month for me. It was a month of of anxiety, a month of waiting, a month where life seemed to be on hold. A month where nothing seemed to matter.

I had my PET scan after two long years to see if my cancer was still in remission. The two weeks it took to get my results back really were the longest of my life. I was always on edge, jumping every time the phone rang, nervous, scared. 

I felt as though I couldn't make any plans. Just in case. What if the results showed activity spots? More treatment? That would mean I wouldn't be able to attend the Cirque du Soleil show that I had my heart set on. And I would be in hospital again. Who would plait Maryam's hair each morning? Pick her up from school each afternoon? Bake her favorite muffins? Check on her before bed just to be sure she was still tucked in? Would I miss Hassan's first steps? His first real word? Would he remember me when I came back from hospital?

On the other hand, I imagined the doctor calling me, telling me everything looked clear and wonderful. I pictured myself laughing out loud with joy, thanking him over and over. I ran over the scenario of giddily calling my parents on the phone and breathlessly telling them the good news as fast as the words would escape my quivering mouth.

It was an immense relief when I did hear back. 'Everything looks wonderful.' I won't forget those melodious, beautiful words. The scrambled calls to my family that followed. The thankfulness in my heart and relief. The sheer exhaustion of worrying for so long had drained me and that night, I slept with my children. Those hugs that night- I think they both wondered why I held them so tightly and so closely.

The date pots were a dessert I'd been willing to make throughout that time. The ingredients were always on the counter, the intention was there. The heart wasn't. But I knew their time had come when I bought myself these new teacups as a celebratory gift. They would be perfect together. It was a sweet, creamy, dreamy end to a difficult month. 

Creamy Date Pots

Ingredients:

2 cups cream

1/2 cup milk

3 tbs caster sugar

3 tbs date dhibs (syrup)

1/2 tsp freshly ground cardamom

chopped pistachios to serve

Directions:

Add all the ingredients except the pistachios to a heavy bottom saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2 mins. Let it cool slightly before pouring into cups or bowls. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Serve with chopped pistachios. 

Serves 4-6 depending on cup size.