Palestinian Harissa Recipes

Steps:

• 1. For the preparation of syrup : in a pot on the fire boil water and sugar together and let it boil for 10 minutes and then add the lemon juice and let boil two minutes and put it a side to cool .
• 2. For the preparation of harissa , in a bowl mix the butter,semolina and sugar , together until homogeneous .
• 3. In another bowl , mix yogurt and baking powder together and leave 10 minutes until yoghurt is double sized.
• 4. Add the yogurt mixture and baking powder to the mixture of semolina and mix by hand again until homogeneous components.
• 5.brush the bottom and sides of a baking tray with tahini ,spread out the dough over a thickness of not more than a centimeter and a half and level the surface and then divide into squares.
• 6.put almonds in the center of squares ,place inside the oven pre- heated to 250 ° C for 30 to 45 minutes until golden brown.
• 7.Remove from oven and pour the syrup cut into serving dish
• .

Steps:

• Roast the coriander, cumin and fennel seeds in a dry pan for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Tip spice mix into a blender and grind to a fine powder, then transfer to a bowl. Add the garlic, onion, chillies, red pepper and olive oil to the blender and blitz to a paste.
• Tip paste into a shallow pan and cook for 15 mins until it reaches a jammy consistency, stirring constantly towards the end. Stir in the spices and 2 tsp salt, then remove from heat. Will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for 2 months

Steps:

• Mix the semolina, the sugar and the butter in a large bowl. Use your hands to corporate the butter with the other ingredients until mixed well.
• Mix the yogurt and the baking soda in a separate bowl.
• Wait a few minutes until the yogurt doubles in size.
• When the yogurt has doubled (or almost)pour the yogurt mix on top of the semolina mix.
• Use your hands again to mix.
• After you combined the two mixes, press the mix down on a small jellyroll pan or a 9x13 pyrex baking dish.
• (The cake mix should not be more then 1 inch thick. If it is bake the cake in a bigger pan or take out the extra and bake it in a separte pan.).
• Cut a diamond or square design in the cake witha butter knife.
• If using almond place one in each piece.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 30min to 45 mins until its a bronze brown color.
• Pour cold syrup on top while its hot so it can absorb all through.
• If using ground pistashios sprinkle a little on top of each square.
• FOR THE SYRUP:.
• Mix all the ingredients for the syrup and place in saucepan on high until it boils. If using citric acid use only the the tip of a teaspoon.
• Then reduce the heat to medium for 45 min to 1 hour until it coats a metal spoon.