-
1
For the semolina dough, mix the semolina with the melted butter, 4 tablespoons of the orange-blossom water, and a little salt.
-
2
Then add just enough waterabout 1 cupto make the paste hold together in a soft, malleable ball.
-
3
You can do this in a food processor.
-
4
Leave to rest, wrapped in plastic wrap, for 15 minutes.
-
5
For the filling, put the dates in a pan with the oil, cinnamon, cloves, and the remaining orange-blossom water.
-
6
Add 1/21 cup water (you need very little if the dates are moist, more if they are a very dry variety) and simmer until the dates are soft and the water has evaporated.
-
7
Blend to a soft paste in the food processor.
-
8
Divide the semolina pastry in half.
-
9
Roll out one half into a square or rectangle 1/4 inch thick.
-
10
You do not need to flour the surface or the rolling pinthe pastry will not stick, as it is very greasy.
-
11
Carefully lift the sheet of pastry onto a baking sheet (it does not need greasing) with the help of a large spatula or by rolling it round the rolling pin.
-
12
If it tears, it does not mattersimply stick the pieces together on the baking sheet.
-
13
(You can roll the pastry out on a plastic sheet, which makes it easier to transfer to a baking sheet.)
-
14
Spread the date filling evenly all over the pastry.
-
15
Roll out the remaining pastry in the same way, and place it on top of the date paste.
-
16
With a sharp-pointed knife, cut into lozenges: first cut parallel lines 1 1/21 3/4 inches apart, then cut parallel lines diagonally across.
-
17
Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 4550 minutes.
-
18
Heat the honey in a pan.
-
19
As the pastry comes out of the oven, dip the lozenges briefly, a few at a time, in the honey, turning them over once.
-
20
Then place on a serving dish.
