Saed News: Qeisava is a delicious Azerbaijani dessert that is prepared in two types: with dates or dried apricots (Gheysi). The name "Qeisava" is derived from "Gheysi" (dried apricot). It is mostly served for breakfast. It has simple ingredients and is very easy to make, yet its taste is exceptional—I highly recommend trying it!
According to the Saed News Cooking Service, Date Qeisava, also known as Date Omelette or Date Khagineh, is a famous and delicious Tabrizian breakfast made with a combination of eggs, dates, walnuts, and cinnamon. The recipe for Date Qeisava is very simple, and besides breakfast, it can also be enjoyed as a light dinner or a snack.
Dates or fresh rutab: 12 pieces
Ground walnuts: 1 tablespoon
Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
Eggs: 2
Sesame seeds: As needed
Salt: As needed
Vegetable oil or butter: As needed
Date Qeisava is a nutritious and tasty Tabrizian breakfast, made with simple and accessible ingredients. Below, you can find the step-by-step guide to preparing this delightful dish.
Step 1: Cook the Dates
In the first step of making Date Qeisava, remove the pits from the dates and place them in a pot. Then, add 1 cup of water to the pot and place it over low heat. Cook the dates for about 10 to 15 minutes until they become soft. If the dates have skin, it’s better to remove it to improve the appearance and taste of your Qeisava.
Step 2: Add Walnuts and Butter
Once the dates are soft and mashed, add the chopped walnuts. Stir the mixture for a few minutes. Then, add butter or oil to the pot. Mix well until the butter completely melts and blends with the dates.
Step 3: Cover the Pot
At this stage, reduce the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Let the mixture cook on low heat and simmer. Wait for about 10 to 15 minutes, then remove the lid and stir the mixture again.
Step 4: Prepare the Qeisava
In the final step of making Date Qeisava, add the ground cinnamon to the mixture and stir well. Then, crack the eggs into the mixture, adding a pinch of salt. Mix everything thoroughly and let the eggs cook. Finally, transfer the Qeisava to your serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped walnuts. Now, you can enjoy this nutritious and delicious dish with fresh, warm bread!
Here are a few golden tips for making Date Qeisava:
To enhance the flavor and aroma of your Qeisava, you can add a little cardamom powder or rosewater along with the cinnamon.
If you're using rutab (fresh dates), there's no need to remove the skin.
It’s best to crack the eggs in a separate bowl and beat them well before adding them to the other ingredients.
Some people make Date Qeisava with only dates and eggs. If you prefer, you can make it without walnuts or spices.
In Tabriz, people usually make Qeisava during the fall and winter to boost energy levels.
For a richer flavor, it's better to use local butter or animal fat in making Qeisava.
Don't grind the walnuts into powder; chop them finely enough so their texture remains noticeable when you bite into them.
Adding salt is optional in Date Qeisava.
When making Qeisava with dried apricots, remove the dates and use dried apricots instead.
For garnish, you can use chopped walnuts or almonds. To make them more flavorful, you can lightly toast them in oil before adding them on top of the Qeisava.
You can also add a little ginger for extra flavor.
If you want your Date Qeisava to be rich and flavorful, you can drizzle melted butter on top once the dish is ready.
When making Date and Walnut Qeisava, you can adjust the amount of dates and eggs based on your personal preference.
To make the Qeisava look more attractive, after preparing the dish, place a plastic bag over a mold, pour the Qeisava into the mold, and press it down firmly. Then, invert the mold onto your serving dish and decorate as you like.
If you like, before adding the eggs to the dates, you can break the eggs in a separate bowl, add some milk, and mix them well. Then, add the milk and egg mixture to the dates.
