Ma'amoul (Middle Eastern Walnut Cookies)

The cookies known as Ma'amoul are tender and buttery. This Ma'amoul recipe calls for walnuts, but the use of pistachios is also prevalent throughout the Middle East.

• 2 cups semolina
• 1 1/2 cups samneh (ghee)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp. orange blossom essence
• 1 teaspoon rose water
• 3/4 cup fine sugar
• 1 1/4 cups crushed walnuts

METHOD

Make dough from semolina, samneh and boiling water and knead well.

Cover tightly and leave overnight.

On second day: Preheat oven to 350°F.

Knead dough again and form into small balls. Hollow out centers of balls. Mix together sugar, nuts and flavorings. Fill hollows with mixture.

Press dough back over the filling. Press each cookie onto a buttered baking pan and flatten and decorate with the tines of a fork. Bake in preheated 350° F oven until lightly browned. Dust liberally with powdered sugar while hot.

Yield varies with size.

recipe from www.inmamaskitchen.com

Contributor: Elinoar Moore

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