Arab sweets like baklava, namoura, and ma’amoul are enjoyed across the Middle East, made with ingredients like semolina, phyllo dough, and tahini. These desserts were once considered expensive and are often made by hand or with a wooden mould. Authentic Arabic desserts can be found in areas with large Middle Eastern populations or online.
Common Arab sweets, such as baklava, namoura and ma’amoul are also enjoyed in other parts of the Middle East. These dishes are prepared a little differently in each country, but are remarkably similar. Desserts are often made from ingredients that are not often used in other regions, although they are widely available in the Middle East. These ingredients include dates, grits, orange blossom water, and tahini.
Baklava is a pastry combined with layers of phyllo dough. The dough is filled with chopped nuts, along with honey or another type of sweet syrup. While it’s a common dessert in the Middle East, as well as Greece and other parts of the world today, it was once considered an expensive and decadent choice available only to the wealthy.
Namoura is one of the sweetest Arabic desserts. It is made with semolina flour. The cake is then soaked in sugar syrup and accented with almonds. Ma’amoul is a pastry made from shortcrust pastry. It’s filling, often with pistachios, dates, or walnuts, but occasionally with figs or almonds. These sweets are made by hand or with the help of a wooden mould. They can be shaped like balls or they can be flat underneath and with a domed top. Ma’amoul is often served as part of a religious ceremony.
Arabian desserts are often made with ingredients that may be unfamiliar to anyone outside the region. Semolina is a type of flour, produced with finely ground durum wheat. It is not the same as the semolina used for baby cereals. The phyllo dough is rolled and stretched to create a finished product consisting of layers no thicker than a leaf. It is made with water, flour, vinegar and oil.
Tahini is a sesame seed product. Sesame seeds are soaked in water and then crushed. The remaining kernels are then roasted and ground. Orange blossom water is a concentrated product. Only a small amount is needed to add flavour. It is distilled water with the addition of orange blossom essential oil. Almonds are also common in many Arabic desserts. They are added to both sweet and savory foods.
Finding authentic Arabic desserts can be a challenge, depending on your location. Many areas with large Middle Eastern populations have a bakery that offers these sweets and a grocery store that carries the ingredients needed to make them at home. Communities with smaller populations may still have a dedicated spot in the grocery store for international ingredients. Desserts and prepared ingredients are also available online.
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