Rangeenak (Persian Date Dessert)

Ingredients:

450g fresh dates
150g icing sugar
300g walnuts, shelled
120g ground cinnamon
140g sesame seeds

Method:

Toast the sesame seeds in a hot, dry, pan for a few minutes then take off the heat and turn into a bowl. Open the dates from one side only and stuff them with half a walnut. Make the cut as small as possible so the dates don't break apart.

As you stuff the dates place on a flat oven-proof dish (pick a decorative one, as you will use this dish to serve). Arrange the dates in a radiating circle pattern. When the first layer is complete sprinkle with the sesame seeds, icing sugar and ground cinnamon (in that order). Start a second layer on top, ensuring that this is smaller than the first layer. Once finished sprinkle this layer with the sesame seeds, icing sugar and cinnamon then form another layer of dates. Continue in this fashion until all the dates have been used up.

When done, transfer the dates to an oven pre-heated to 190°C and bake for a few minutes, or until the dates are just warmed through and the ingredients are beginning to stick together.

Remove from the oven and serve either warm or cold.