ALGERIAN HELOUWA TA'ABA (LEMON OR SESAME COOKIES)
Helouwa Ta'aba are very traditional, lovely simple cookies from Algeria. They should be quite hard, but if you prefer them a little softer then take them out of the oven at 20 minutes. There are 2 versions of this recipe, one flavoured with lemon & the other is plain but topped with sesame seeds. Both versions are below. This particluar recipe is our family recipe & is DH's all time favourite helouwa as it is not too sweet (so he can eat more lol!)
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Dessert
Time 58m
Yield 70-90 cookies approx.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs & the oil.
- Add the baking powder (& lemon zest if using), & slowly add the flour, mixing the ingredients with your hands until a dough forms. You will probably not need all of the flour.
- Once you have a firm dough, you can shape your helouwa.
- To shape, you have 2 choices: you can roll out to 5mm thickness & cut out with your favourite cookie cutters OR you can roll into a 1cm thick 'sausage' & make rings & straight lengths them decorate with a 'Nakkach' or fork if you don't have one. (See photos).
- If making the sesame version, once you have cut out all your cookies, brush a little beaten egg over the top of the cookies & sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
- Place on a tray lined with aluminium foil (shiny side up) & bake for 25-28 minutes. The cookies should be pale but hard when tapped. (Unless you want them soft on the inside, in which case you should take them out after 20 minutes).
- Allow to cool then store in an airtight container for upto 2 weeks.
KHOBZ TUNIS - ALGERIAN HELOUWA - MY FAMILY RECIPE
Have you got any day old bread (stale) to use up? Yes? Well this could be the recipe for you! These helouwa/cakes are so simple to make and like most Algerian helouwa recipes, you end up with a lot for your efforts! This is my own family recipe...
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 30 approx. of diamond cakes, 15 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- For the syrup:.
- Put the sugar and the water into a large pan and boil for approx 10-15 minutes. Add the mazhar during the last couple of minutes. Allow to cool of slightly before pouring onto the khobz.
- For the Khobz:.
- If making ground almonds at home - preferable - please coarsely chop them in a food processor until you have pieces the size of sago or large cous cous for example (ie not too fine).
- With an electric whisk, beat the eggs until fluffy. Incorporate the sugar and butter into the eggs, whisking for at least 5 minutes.
- Fold in the ground almonds, bread/toast, baking powder, lemon zest and vanilla essence. Take care not to knock the air out of the mixture.
- Pour into a round metal tin approximately 50cm across and 35cm high. and level off. Cook in preheated oven at gas mark 5-6 for 40 minutes or until brown & a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle.
- Once cooked, turn off oven. Remove the Khobz and pour the syrup over the top. Return the khobz to the oven for 5 mins - not to cook further only to aid absorbtion of the syrup.
- Remove from oven and using diagonal cuts, cut the khobz tunis to make diamond shapes approximately 1.5'' in diameter. Put into metallic paper cases (so syrup doesn't soak through) or serve without cases.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 348.9, Fat 18.8, SaturatedFat 8.7, Cholesterol 101.1, Sodium 194.5, Carbohydrate 43.2, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 40.7, Protein 4.4
ALGERIAN HARRISSA - NOT A CHILLI SAUCE BUT A SWEET!
Quite a misleading name and I've never been able to get to the bottom of it.... However, these harrissa are very pretty little Algerian helouwa (sweets). I always include these on my trays of Eid helouwa that I give to friends and family as they are so nice to look at (and not bad tasting too). I also make these using a mix of 100g ground almonds with 250g desiccated coconut (ground up). These freeze well so you can whip a few out whenever you need them. Oh and the best thing? You don't even need to cook them!
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Dessert
Time 1h
Yield 40-60 flower harrissa
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place the almonds, sugar orange blossom water & margarine in a food processor & mix to form a firm paste.
- Split paste into 3 equal parts. Leave one natural and mix colouring into the other 2. Dust surfaces with cornflour. Roll paste into 3 long sausages then plait together. If using coconut, you'll not be able to plait them so lay them next to each other, then gently push them together so they stick to each other.
- Dust hands with a little cornflour and form the paste into as many little balls as you can get ( a little larger than a Malteser). Lightly press the top of each ball into s little sugar.
- With a matchstick or similar, make a indentation in the middle of the ball. Take a screw top from a bottle (coke etc) and gently press the rim of the top, starting from the middle and rolling the top out so that you get a little arc.
- Repeat this until you have covered the ball - usually 6 or so top marks. You should have what looks like a flower.
- Place a silver ball, piece of cherry or angelica etc into the centre of the flower. Place the harrissa into tiny sweet cases to serve.
- As an alternative. Instead of plaiting the paste, roll out and layer then cut into lozenge/diamond shapes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 87, Fat 5, SaturatedFat 0.5, Cholesterol 0.8, Sodium 2.7, Carbohydrate 9.7, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 7.5, Protein 2.1
PORTUGUESE WASHBOARD COOKIES (LAVADORES)
Make and share this Portuguese Washboard Cookies (Lavadores) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Chef Gorete
Categories Dessert
Time 35m
Yield 4 Dozen
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix the butter with 1 cup of the sugar on medium high-speed for 1 minute. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, blending well after each, until the mixture is fluffy and pale yellow, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon rind.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder & salt to combine. Fold the flour into the butter mixture using a spatula, mixing well. Gently knead the dough in the bowl for about 5 minutes.
- Place the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a shallow dish. Using a small cookie scoop, shape pieces of dough into balls, then roll in the sugar. Place the cookes on a parchment lined or lightly greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Flatten the cookies gently using the tines of a fork or make the horizontal lines.
- Bake for 18 - 20 minutes, or until a light golden colour. I like to rotate the cookie trays from top to bottom, halfway through the cooking process.
- Cool on the cookie trays for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Enjoy.
ALGERIAN ' ZRODIYA MCHARMLA' - CARROTS WITH VINEGAR
'Zrodiya Mcharmla' also known as 'Carottes au vinaigre' is a very famous carrot dish in Algeria. This is actually delicious & isn't hard to make...beautiful with roast chicken! For a change to the carrots, you can also use courgette / zucchini or potato in its place.
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Vegetable
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Peel and slice the carrots into rounds; boil in lightly salted water until just tender.
- Meanwhile prepare the 'dersa' (sauce). In a grinder or mortar and pestle, grind the garlic, hot pepper and red pepper (paprika) with the caraway seeds and some salt (to taste).
- Add 1 tbsp water to the sauce. Mix the sauce with the oil and combine well. Drain the carrots. Pour the sauce over the carrots and return to to a low heat. Cover and cook on low for a few minutes to allow the carrots time to take on the flavour of the sauce.
- Add the vinegar and serve hot or cold (room temp!).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 148.3, Fat 10.6, SaturatedFat 1.4, Sodium 87.2, Carbohydrate 13.2, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 6, Protein 1.4
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The History of Helouwa Taaba
Helouwa taaba has a long history in Algeria. It is believed to have originated in Ottoman-ruled Algeria in the 16th century. The sweet was traditionally made with honey and flour, but over time, other ingredients like semolina, almond paste, and butter were added. In Algeria, helouwa taaba is a symbol of hospitality and generosity. It is often served to guests and visitors, and it is also given as a gift during Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan.Lemon Cookies
Lemon cookies are a popular variation of helouwa taaba in Algeria. These cookies are made with semolina, almond paste, sugar, and lemon zest. The ingredients are combined to form a dough, which is then shaped into small cookies and baked until crispy. Lemon cookies are a refreshing treat that are perfect for hot summer days. They have a tangy flavor that is balanced by the sweetness of the almond paste and sugar. These cookies are often served with mint tea or coffee.Ingredients:
- 1 cup semolina
- 1/2 cup almond paste
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Zest of one lemon
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the semolina, almond paste, sugar, and lemon zest.
- Gradually add the vegetable oil and water to the mixture, stirring until the dough is well combined.
- Add the baking powder to the dough and mix well.
- Shape the dough into small cookies and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely before serving.
Sesame Cookies
Sesame cookies are another popular variation of helouwa taaba in Algeria. These cookies are made with semolina, almond paste, sugar, and sesame seeds. The ingredients are combined to form a dough, which is then shaped into small cookies and baked until crispy. Sesame cookies have a slightly nutty flavor that is complemented by the sweetness of the almond paste and sugar. They are often served with hot tea or coffee.Ingredients:
- 1 cup semolina
- 1/2 cup almond paste
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the semolina, almond paste, sugar, and sesame seeds.
- Gradually add the vegetable oil and water to the mixture, stirring until the dough is well combined.
- Add the baking powder to the dough and mix well.
- Shape the dough into small cookies and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely before serving.