Jasmin’s Maamoul
Jasmin moved to Australia from Egypt and has connected with other migrant women from learning English through a cooking program run by a Red Cross volunteer. Maamoul is a traditional treat for Jasmin’s family and other Muslims, particularly from the Middle-East. It is shared during the celebration of Eid and for other special occasions.
250g date paste
400g very fine semolina
100g plain flour
250g ghee
1tsp baking powder
150ml milk
1tsp each of mastic and mahalepi
1tsp each of freshly ground aniseed, nutmeg and cinnamon
Method
Thoroughly mix spices into date paste with your hands.
Place semolina, plain flour and baking powder into a bowl and stir to mix evenly.
Add ghee to the bowl and knead gently to combine.
Gradually add milk to form a firm dough.
Roll date mixture into marble sized balls.
Roll dough into larger balls (about twice the size of date balls). Make an indentation in the centre, insert date ball and wrap in dough.
Form shapes using Maamoul press or hands.
Bake at 220*c until light brown.
Sprinkle with icing sugar before serving.
