Ingredients

• 1/2 cup diced dried dates
• 1/4 cup cumin powder
• 1/4 cup bourbon, optional
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chile flakes
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 diced dried guajillo peppers with seeds

Instructions

1. Put the dates, cumin, bourbon if using, garlic, sugar, rice wine vinegar, chile flakes, salt, guajillo peppers and 2 cups water in a medium pot, place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook until the dates are soft, another 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
2. Scrape the cooled mixture into a blender and blend on low speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Use immediately, or let the mixture cool completely and refrigerate. The mixture should be good for 1 to 2 weeks.