Algerian cake recipe?

[Umm Ishaq]

Hi,
I hope someone can help me.
The last time I visited Algeria I ate the most wonderful cakes called 'Les Cravates'. They look like long strips of approx. 12cm in length which have been twisted. The filling tastes of almond and this is sandwiched between thin pastry which is coated with a light syrup or honey.
I have searched every where to find the recipe but without any luck. So just wondering if someone has it tucked away- if so please share it with me!

Many thanks for any help.

[Elmotoo]

I'm working on it!

[Um Safia]

I'm calling in the BIG GUNS on this ....my mother in law

The problem is finding the Algerian name - we use both languages and often helouwa gets a little confused. Do you have any other description - les cravattess are ties - did they look like bow ties or tied in a knot for example? I've gone through ALL my algerian books and not found anything yet.

I'll post as soon as I can find something out....that's if Elmotoo doesn't beat me to it

Rezika.

[Umm Ishaq]

Thanks for any help!

I have asked all of my in laws but none of them know how to make these cakes
They were not tied or knotted in any way -they looked similar to twisted bread sticks.
I ate them at a wedding, apparently they are a traditional cake to eat with tea. They were not heavy to eat and the honey did not drench them like Baclava. Not sure if they are something that you only have at weddings?or maybe only weddings in Algiers- I know how things vary so much between different regions.
I will try and find out some more information.

I appreciate any help in tracking the recipe down - they were just sooo delicious!

[Um Safia]

Eureka!

I have found the recipe!



I'll just translate it for you and post here before publishing - unless you don't mind having it in French!

Rezika

[Umm Ishaq]

I can't believe it, I have searched everywhere for that recipe, Thank you so much Where did you find it?

No problem for you to post in French!

[Um Safia]

Ha ha, I can't believe it either

I came across the recipe whilst looking for something else actually - it is on the Doctissimo site....

Les Cravates:

pâte: 500g farine- 125g beurre- 1pincée de sel -1 oeuf -eau de fleur d'oranger

farce:-300g de cacahuètes -150g sucre -les zestes de 2 citrons (verts c'est encore mieux) -1ou 2 oeufs (au jugé il faut que la farce soit collante et pâteuse)

-mélanger farine, ouef, beurre fondu, sel, faire une pâte en travaillant avec la paume de la main, en mouillant progressivmenet avec la fleur d'oranger.
laiser reposer au frigo (minimum 1h, mais c'est bien de la faire la veille)

-faire une farce avec les cacahuètes hachée un peu finement, les zestes rapés très fins le sucre et les oeufs.

au rouleau etaler la pate très fine, sur 2/3 mm en grand rectangle. tartiner la moitié de ce rectangle avec la farce. couvrir avec l'autre moitié.

couper au grand couteau ds la longueur et ensuite tourner 2 fois la pâte de façon a faire une torsade.

poser à plat sur la plaque du four (ça gonfle pas vous pouvez serrer ) cuire à 160° jusqu'à ce qu'elles soient dorés.

tremper ensuite ds un mélange tiède de miel + fleur d'oranger. laisser égoutter.

I hope you enjoy making them. I will try them myself this weekend insha'allah.

Rezika.

[Umm Ishaq]

Oh that's great. I can't wait to try it!
I had no idea that those cakes were made using peanuts I just assumed it was almonds as so many other Algerian cakes call for ground almonds.

Thanks so much, Emma

P.S - I just had a look at your 'Zaar page' your children are gorgeous, masha-Allah.

[Um Safia]

Umm Ishaq wrote:
Oh that's great. I can't wait to try it!
I had no idea that those cakes were made using peanuts I just assumed it was almonds as so many other Algerian cakes call for ground almonds.

Thanks so much, Emma

P.S - I just had a look at your 'Zaar page' your children are gorgeous, masha-Allah.

Hi Emma,

I am pretty certain you can interchange the nuts. If you had the cravates at a wedding in Algiers then they will probably have been almond. The recipe is from a regular algerian woman and due the price of almonds there, some helouwa normally made with almonds is often made with peanuts as they are the cheapest (or whatever they have on hand). My family have pecan trees so when they are ripe we get almost everything with pecans. Similarly, I've eaten Baklawa made with Almonds, Peanuts, Walnuts, Pecans and Hazelnuts - though not all at the same time Though for such a special occasion as a wedding, they tend to push the boat out if they can

And thanks for taking a look at my AM page (attik 'saha for the comment about my kids!)

Don't forget to let us all know how they turn out.....

Rezika.

[Cookie16]

I've had those before in Algeria and in US! We called them cigarettes! I've never had the recipe til now. Maybe I will make them to surprise my husband. I've had them with almonds only but will try peanuts (much less expensive). The price of all nuts is outrageous lately. I haven't purchased almonds for several months; I've been subbing walnuts in everything. Even walnuts are $6 per pound minimum.

Thanks for posting the recipe!!

[Umm Ishaq]

Well, I tried the recipe. I used almonds instead of the suggested peanuts but otherwise followed it exactly.

I think I put a little too much filling in as it seemed to burst out of the edges a bit but the taste was very very nice and they were all eaten

I definately want to make them again.

Thanks once again for taking the time to find and post the recipe for me.

Best wishes, Emma

[Um Safia]

Umm Ishaq wrote:
Well, I tried the recipe. I used almonds instead of the suggested peanuts but otherwise followed it exactly.

I think I put a little too much filling in as it seemed to burst out of the edges a bit but the taste was very very nice and they were all eaten

I definately want to make them again.

Thanks once again for taking the time to find and post the recipe for me.

Best wishes, Emma

Ooh Emma,

I found les cravates in another cookbook and this time they have the 2 top twists slit to allow the filling to come out a little! Funnily enough my neice just sent some of this style cravate froam Algeria for us a couple of days ago

Try it either way. If you like plenty of filling then put the slits in the top and if you want them like in the picture before then be a bit mean with the filling

Have fun experimenting...

Rezika.

[Rita~]

Oh I`m curious! Please do post. Almonds I do favor!

[mimi292]

hi heres the recipe for what you wanted im from algeria but live in london the recipe was origanily in french but i went to google translator and turned it to english Dough

3 measures of flour (250 g)
1 / 2 measure of melted margarine
1 egg
5 tablespoons of orange blossom water
1 pinch salt
Water
Stuffing

500 g finely ground almonds
250 g icing sugar
Lemon zest
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 eggs
Syrup

500 g honey
1 / 4 of the water of orange blossom
Decoration

1 / 4 of the water of orange blossom
egg white
Sliced almonds

[UmmBinat]

Salam alaikum,

I wish I can see the one Um Safia posted in English.