Arabian Gulf Shortbread Cookies (Ghiraybah)
Very nice little Middle Eastern shortbread cookies. I like to give these as gifts or make them for tea time. I also make them often for my FIL's diwaniya (men's gathering) to enjoy with their Arabic coffee or tea. Recipe from The Complete Middle East Cookbook by Tess Mallos.
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READY IN: 55mins
SERVES: 35-40
YIELD: 35-40 cookies
UNITS: US
INGREDIENTS
Nutrition- 1cup clarified butter (samneh, I have always used just sweet butter without clarifying)
- 1
- 2 1⁄2cups all-purpose flour
- blanched slivered almond, to garnish (loz)
-
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DIRECTIONS
- First of all, sifting is an important part which must not be left out or the cookies will not turn out the right texture so be sure you have a sieve.
- If need be, chill samneh or butter in refrigerator if too soft. (It should be somewhat soft just not very soft)
- Put samneh in mixing bowl and beat until light. Gradually add sifted icing sugar, beating until very creamy and light.
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Sift flour and fold into butter mixture. Knead lightly until smooth. (Don't overdo it) If kitchen is hot, chill dough in refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
- Roll pieces of dough into balls the size of a walnut and place on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly. Flour hand lightly if necessary. Top half or all with a slivered almond. (I like to do half with the nuts and half with the dusting of icing sugar after cooled).
- Bake in the preheated moderately slow oven for 20-25 minutes until very lightly coloured. Cool on baking sheets. Dust the other half without the almond slivers with icing sugar. (Makes for a pretty presentation of the mixed biscuits on a platter) then remove. These are very delicate biscuits and must be handled carefully.
- Enjoy!
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