Christmas in Morocco

Moroccan Qatayef (Arabian pancakes) Recipe:

Ingredients:

·         **To Make the Pancakes**

·         1/2 teaspoon instant active dry yeast

·         1 teaspoon granulated sugar

·         1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F)

·         1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (wheat flour can also be used)

·         1/8 teaspoon salt

·         **For the Filling**

·         1 cup walnuts, chopped

·         2 tablespoons sugar

·         1 tablespoon orange blossom water (optional)

·         **For the Syrup**

·         2 cups granulated sugar

·         1 3/4 cups light corn syrup

·         1/4 cup orange blossom or rose water

·         1/3 cup warm water

Preparation:

Dissolve yeast and sugar in water inside the measuring cup for 10 minutes, or until proofs (become frothy). If your yeast does not proof, it means the yeast is bad or the water was not warm enough or too hot. Remember that yeast is a live organism and needs the proper environment to work properly!

In a separate bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the proofed yeast and sugar water mixture. Combine well, cover, and allow to sit in a warm area for 30-45 minutes.

While pancake mix is proofing, prepare filling. In a small bowl, mix walnuts with sugar. Add orange blossom water if desired. Cover and set aside.

This is now a good time to prepare the syrup. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, add orange blossom or rose water. Stir well to prevent sticking. Reduce heat to low and allow to sit until ready to use.

Preheat griddle or frying pan to medium high heat. Using a ladle, make a five inch pancake with the batter. Once the batter begins to bubble on top, remove pancake from griddle and set aside. Do not flip, you are only cooking one side. Repeat with remaining batter.

Preheat 1 inch of oil in a frying pan to medium high heat. While oil is heating, take one 1 tablespoon of nut filling and place it on top of the uncooked side of the pancake. Fold the pancake in half, to make a half moon shape and seal edges by pressing together. Repeat with remaining pancakes and filling.

Fry on each side until a light golden brown color (about 15-30 second each side). Drain on a towel lined plate.

Drizzle syrup generously over qatayef and serve immediately.

Christmas in Morocco facts:

1.)The exact start of Ramadan (their religious holiday similar to Christmas) is often never determined until just before the holiday begins because it is determined by a sighting of the new moon.

2.) Moroccans typically celebrate Ramadan for an entire month.
3.) During Ramadan, observers are expected to deprive themselves from food, drink, and other pleasures from dawn to dusk. Removing these comforts from daily routine is intended to focus the mind on prayer, spirituality, and charity and to purify the body and mind.

4.) Only children, pregnant women, and the ill are exempted from this holiday.

5.) Ironically, many people gain weight during Ramadan. They are more sedentary during the daytime, eat richer food than normal at the fast-breaking meal in the evenings, and get the majority of their daily calories at night right before they go to bed.