Khobz Ramadan Bread With Dates Lebanon Middle East Recipes

KHOBZ RAMADAN -- BREAD WITH DATES (LEBANON-- MIDDLE EAST)

Steps:

• Put dates in a food processor & process until coarsely chopped, then add 4 tablespoons butter & continue processing until there is a smooth paste.
• Divide into 4 equal parts, then cover with plastic wrap & refrigerate.
• Stir yeast into 1/4 cup of the warm water & set aside for 10 minutes in a warm place.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, seeds & rest of the butter, working the butter into the flour with your hands.
• Add yeast water & 1/4 cup of the warm water & knead until the dough is supple & firm.
• Divide dough into 4 equal parts, roll into balls & let rest for 15 minutes.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• When dough has rested, roll out each ball of dough into a disk about 7 1/2 inches across & 1/2 inch thick.
• With your hands flatten one portion of the date paste into a smaller disk about 4 1/2 inches across, then lay it in the middle of the dough.
• Turn the edges of the dough over the filling & seal the dough, then turn the dough over & lay it on the prepared baking sheet. Pat with your hands to make as perfect a circle as you can.
• Make the other breads in the same way, then cover with plastic wrap & let rest for another 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Brush breads with egg yolk & bake 25-30 minutes or until golden, then remove to a wire rack to cool, before serving.

KHOBZ EL DAR (ALGERIAN SEMOLINA BREAD)

Steps:

• Mix 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons semolina, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, sugar, yeast, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk in oil, egg, and egg white. Stir in warm milk slowly until a liquid dough forms.
• Cover the bowl with a plate or plastic wrap; let stand at room temperature until frothy, about 1 hour.
• Stir in 2 3/4 cups flour with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Cover again and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.
• Sprinkle 1 tablespoon flour over the dough and your hands. Mix dough, adding flour as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Shape into a round loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place until loaf doubles in volume.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Beat egg yolk and water in a bowl with a fork; brush over the entire surface of the loaf. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sesame seeds on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until loaf is golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.