Moroccan Desserts > Chebakia

Chebakia with Orange Blossom and Almond Paste Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup semolina flour
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground anise
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup orange blossom water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup almond paste
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg, beaten

Special equipment needed:
- Rolling pin
- Chebakia cutter or a sharp knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper

Step-by-step instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, salt, cinnamon, anise, ginger, and nutmeg. Mix well.

2. Add the vegetable oil and orange blossom water to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.

3. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

4. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.

5. In a small mixing bowl, combine the almond paste and powdered sugar. Mix well.

6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

7. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch.

8. Cut the dough into strips that are 1 inch wide and 6 inches long.

9. Take each strip and fold it into a flower shape, pinching the ends together to seal.

10. Dip each flower-shaped dough into the beaten egg, then coat it in the toasted sesame seeds.

11. Place the coated dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

12. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

13. While the Chebakia is baking, combine the honey and orange blossom water in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat until the honey is melted and the mixture is well combined.

14. Remove the Chebakia from the oven and immediately dip it into the honey mixture.

15. Let the Chebakia cool for a few minutes, then stuff each flower with the almond paste mixture.

16. Serve the Chebakia warm or at room temperature.


Time:
Preparation time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Temperature:
Oven temperature: 350°F (180°C)
Serving size:
This recipe makes about 20 Chebakia.

Nutritional information:
Calories per serving: 200
Total fat: 10g
Saturated fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 70mg
Total carbohydrates: 25g
Dietary fiber: 1g
Sugars: 12g
Protein: 3g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Semolina flour can be substituted with all-purpose flour.
- Almond paste can be substituted with any other nut paste or even peanut butter.
- Orange blossom water can be substituted with rose water or vanilla extract.

Variations:
- Instead of almond paste, you can stuff the Chebakia with a mixture of chopped dates and walnuts.
- You can add a pinch of saffron to the honey mixture for a more exotic flavor.
- You can add a few drops of orange food coloring to the dough for a brighter color.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to knead the dough well to get a smooth and elastic texture.
- Dip the Chebakia in the honey mixture while it's still hot to allow it to absorb more of the flavor.
- Use a Chebakia cutter to get a more uniform shape, but if you don't have one, a sharp knife will do the job.
- Store the Chebakia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Storage instructions:
Store the Chebakia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Reheating instructions:
To reheat the Chebakia, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes or until warm.

Presentation ideas:
Arrange the Chebakia on a platter and sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. You can also drizzle some honey on top for a more decadent look.

Garnishes:
Sprinkle some chopped pistachios or almonds on top of the Chebakia for a crunchy texture.

Pairings:
Serve the Chebakia with a cup of Moroccan mint tea for a traditional Moroccan experience.

Suggested side dishes:
Chebakia is usually served as a dessert or a snack, so it doesn't require any side dishes.

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the dough is too dry, add a little bit more orange blossom water.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a little bit more flour.
- If the Chebakia is too hard, it means it's overcooked, so reduce the baking time next time.

Food safety advice:
Make sure to wash your hands and all the utensils before and after handling the dough. Also, make sure to use fresh ingredients.

Food history:
Chebakia is a traditional Moroccan pastry that is usually served during Ramadan. It's made of a dough that is shaped into a flower and then coated in sesame seeds and fried. It's then dipped in honey and flavored with orange blossom water or rose water.

Flavor profiles:
Chebakia has a sweet and nutty flavor with a hint of orange blossom water.

Serving suggestions:
Chebakia is usually served as a dessert or a snack, and it's often accompanied by a cup of Moroccan mint tea.

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Region: Moroccan

Taste: Sweet, Nutty, Floral, Fragrant, Sticky