Small makrout with dates / sesame seeds

Small makrout with dates / sesame seeds

Hello,

This pastry brings together the 3 countries of the Maghreb, indeed, we find the makrouts as well in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Sometimes there are some differences between the recipes depending on the region but basically, the bases are pretty much the same, but the proportions sometimes vary according to the recipes to wait for perfection.

Oriental pastry is for me the thing that allows me to fully develop, to relax, a total outlet for all the small evils of life. The fact that it requires precision and meticulousness makes it possible to clear your head and focus only on these little sweets, have the right texture of dough, work the paste of dates or almonds with your fingertips, lovingly honey cakes, a whole ritual that is ultimately a real pleasure.

Makroute is an  honey cake made of semolina and dates or almonds ... etc., fried or baked and soaked in honey or syrup. Accompanied by a good tea, reminded me of the good old days in Algiers where this cake was always (and ailleus until now) present in all the wedding parties, circumcision or the festivals of the Aid.

Here are mini makrout with dates and sesame really delicious. Small to make a mouthful, they melt alone in the mouth. The stuffing is a mixture of crushed dates, a mixture of 4 spices (gingerbread) and golden sesame seeds. The preparation of the dough is always the same for me, because my makrouts are always melting and do not fade in cooking.

INGREDIENTS:

- 3 measures of medium semolina (about 1 kg)

- 1 measure of butter / oil (about 300 gr)

- 1/2 teaspoon of orange blossom water

- 1 teaspoon of salt

- Water

For the date paste:

- 500 gr of date paste

- 1 teaspoon of 4 spices

- 1/2 teaspoon of butter

- 1 or 2 tablespoons orange blossom water

-3 tablespoons golden sesame seeds

Preparation:

 Homemade date paste:
500g of dates
1 tbsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. tablespoon icing sugar

Pit the dates and steam them in a couscous pot for ten minutes.
Once the dates are very soft, put them in a salad bowl, crush them with a fork, add the cinnamon, the icing sugar and continue mixing to obtain a smooth paste.

Work the date paste with spices, orange blossom water, sesame seeds and butter until you get a soft dough.

In a large salad bowl, pour the semolina, the salt. Mix. Make a fountain and pour the butter / oil mixture. Sand well the preparation in your hands so that the butter / oil is well absorbed. Let stand for an hour. Take a good amount of semolina and sprinkle water by mixing without working with your fingertips without kneading. Once you have a ball that is good,

 roll a pudding. With your index finger, make a channel in the center in the direction of the length.

Roll a little roll of date paste and put it in the channel. Reassemble the edges of the dough on the dates to cover it all. Ride again to have a roll of identical width. Cut the lozenge into lozenges and set aside.

Renew this operation until the dough is used, mixing another quantity of semolina, which you will sprinkle with water until you cut the lozenges.
Heat your frying pan. When the oil is hot enough, fry the makroud until they are golden brown on all sides. Once finished, dip them in warm honey perfumed with orange blossom water.decorate with grilled sesame seeds.

NB: Make sure the oil is not steaming but hot. The makrout will not get inside.

Name:

small makrout with dates / sesame seeds

Preparation time:       45M

Cooking time:           15M

Total time :                1H

Preserve it and pass it on to our children!

See you soon for other delights.