Yam and Red Date Cake🫓

On a leisurely weekend afternoon, I had a sudden inspiration to make a healthy yet delicious snack for my family. Flipping through cookbooks, the combination of yam and red dates caught my eye. Yam, known as "underground ginseng," is rich in vitamins and minerals, promoting digestive health and boosting immunity. Red dates, on the other hand, are a natural sweetener, packed with iron and vitamin C, especially for women. Combining these two ingredients not only provided rich nutrition but also an unexpected sweetness. So, I gave it a try and made these yam and red date pancakes. To my surprise, they were an instant hit with my family, who praised them as one of the healthiest and tastiest snacks they've ever had.

🔍 Ingredient Breakdown

1. Yam: As the main ingredient, yam offers a delicate texture and is rich in dietary fiber, aiding digestion and improving gut health. It also contains essential trace elements like zinc, iron, and calcium, which strengthen immunity and promote bone health.

2. Red Dates: Red dates serve as a natural sweetener, rich in sugars, vitamins, and minerals, especially iron, which is effective in nourishing blood and enhancing beauty, as well as improving anemia. Additionally, they have calming properties, helping to relieve stress and improve sleep quality.

3. Flour: Acting as a binder, flour helps yam and red dates combine tightly to form pancakes. It also provides carbohydrates for energy.
   

🍽️Serving Suggestions

Yam and red date pancakes are perfect as breakfast or afternoon tea snacks, as well as healthy treats to enjoy anytime. For busy professionals, prepare some in advance and store them in an airtight container for easy access. They're also suitable for the elderly and children, who will love the soft texture of yam and the sweetness of red dates. Pair them with a cup of hot milk or soy milk for added nutrition and enhanced flavor.

❤️ Why You’ll Love It

Once you try these yam and red date pancakes, you'll be charmed by their appeal. Firstly, the preparation is simple and quick, requiring no complex cooking skills, making it accessible even to novice cooks. Secondly, the unique taste—sweet, soft, and glutinous—satisfies both the palate and health needs. More importantly, they carry a message of love and care, whether made for family or given as gifts to friends, spreading warmth and sweetness. In this fast-paced era, let a simple snack add a touch of warmth and beauty to your life.

🥗RECIPE🥗

👉🏻Ingredients list

• 200g yam

• 100g red dates

• 100g flour

• A moderate amount of white sesame seeds (for decoration)

• A small amount of cooking oil (for frying)

👩🍳DIRECTIONS:

1. Peel the yam, cut it into small pieces, and steam it together with the red dates in a steamer over high heat until cooked, about 15 minutes.

2. After steaming, remove the pits from the red dates and mash them into a paste using a spoon or blender. Also, mash the yam into a paste.

3. Mix the yam paste and red date paste evenly, add flour in a 1:1 ratio, and knead into a smooth dough. If the dough is too dry, add a little juice from steaming the yam or red dates as needed.

4. Divide the dough into several small portions, roll each into a ball, flatten it, place an appropriate amount of red date paste as filling, wrap it up, and roll it into a ball again before flattening it.

5. Sprinkle some white sesame seeds on the surface of the pancakes for decoration.

6. Preheat a flat-bottomed pan, brush a thin layer of cooking oil, place the yam and red date pancakes in the pan, and fry over low heat until golden brown on both sides.

❓ FAQ

1. My hands itch when peeling yam. What should I do?
   Wear disposable gloves before peeling, or briefly blanch the yam in hot water before peeling to reduce itching.

2. Can I prepare the red date paste in advance?
   Absolutely. You can make the red date paste ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. It's ready to use whenever needed, saving time and ensuring freshness.

3. Can I use other cookware instead of a flat-bottomed pan?
   Yes, you can. If you don't have a flat-bottomed pan, an electric griddle or a regular frying pan can be used as a substitute. Just adjust the heat to prevent burning.