Gran's lozenges (Braaj)

By Za, 

Braaj are some date paste sandwiched in a shortbread semolina. I discovered these sweet munchies from my gran. She used to make to welcome and celebrate the coming of Spring. It was a tradition she had kept running for many years. Too bad, it wasn't perpetuated by her children. I decided to make them and keep the tradition as a tribute to her :)
Kids absolutely love Braaj, and so do all Algerians. 

I would like to offer these Algerian traditional baby “date sandwiches” to her, yous lot reader and all date lovers, for the coming season of Spring.

"Note that Algerian traditional recipes measure the volume of ingredients and not their weight. The idea is to take any measure , be it a cup, a glass or a big container , fill it three time with the dry ingredients (semoulina in this case) and one time with fat ( butter, ghee, etc….) the choice of the measure will determine the quantity of the pastry…..if you want a small quantity, choose a small container, and vice-versa" Kaouther 

What you need is: 

• Semolina – Medium (2 full British mugs measure) - that's what i use for measuring
• Salt (a pinch) 
• Ghee+oil ( ½ a British mug measure) 
• Orange blossom water diluted in water ( enoughto gather the mixture into a dough)

Stuffing:

• Date paste (worked) - wet my hands with water to work and flatten it. It makes it less sticky :o) 

The Method:

For the dough, put your semolina in a bowl.

Add salt and ghee and mix very well.

Rub it continually between your palms to make sure the grease is integrated in and fully incorporated with the semolina.

You should have a mixture that feels like wet sand.

Let it rest 15 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, work the dates paste. Just knead it a little bit to remove any bits of bones or hard flakes. 

 If you find it sticky or hard, use some oil or water to work it easily or steam it a little to turn it softer.

When you’re done with the paste, to back to your semolina and gather it with some water to get a breaking dough like this. (don't knead it too much) 

Split it into two equal halves. (pic ==>) 

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1- Flatten the first half - 8 milimetres thick.

2- Flatten the dates paste as thin as you want it to be ( 3mm)

3- Lay the flat date paste on the first flattened half of dough and cover it with the second flattened half of dough creating a sandwich as illustrated in the pictures. (4)
give it a last roll with the rolling pin to flatten everything and stick it all together. 

 In the final stage, cut the sandwich however you like. I love lozenge shaped Braaj. That’s how my gran used to cut them. Algerian's are big fans of lozenge/diamond shapes and they shape most of their food/sweets into that.  
But you can make them square, round, triangle, pentagon or star ..have fun  and go crazy with your cookie cutters heh! 

Preheat your pan or tawa and cook them both sides till they gain a red-ish colour.

Eat with milk, curd milk, tea or some coffee.
We tend to eat them for breakfast and afternoon tea/coffee. 


PS: Some people have sensitive stomach. Thus, end up suffering from heart-burns after consuming LOTS of braaj :P .. don't panic, it's normal. Just drink some cold milk - a cup or so, and you should feel better after a couple of seconds :o) 

Bsahatkom- Enjoy - Bon appetit  :)