ATAYEF PANCAKES

Ingredients

Pancakes

2 cups flour

1 cup fine semolina

2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon instant dry yeast

2 teaspoon sugar

3 1/2 cups of warm water

Syrup

2 cups water

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon orange blossom water (in Arabic “mazaher”)

Fillings

Arabic sweet cheese (such as sweetened halloumi cheese - soak until all the salt is removed then drain) or fresh mozzarella/ricotta

Nut Mixture (chopped almonds/walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar) Shredded coconuts may be added too

Fresh cream can be used as a filling in fresh atayef without frying

Makes 30 medium size Atayef Pancakes

Directions

1

Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl, add the warm water, sugar, yeast and use a whisk or a blender to mix all the ingredients

2

Cover the bowl and allow the batter to rest for 45 minutes in a dark and warm spot

3 After resting the batter, mix lightly to deflate any bubbles

4 To prepare the Atayef, heat up a non-stick pan to mediumlow heat. Pour 1/4 cup of batter like a pancake, cook for 1-2 minutes and take them off the pan once cooked

5 Place the cooked Atayef on a kitchen towel to cool. Once cooled, cover with another kitchen towel to avoid drying the Atayef out

Repeat step 5 until you finish up the batter Do not flip or overcook the Atayef as you will need the rims to remain a bit moist.

6

Ensure the Atayef has cooled before filling Then, add around a tablespoon of filling in the center of the Atayef Pinch the sides together to close the Atayef all the way and Avoid over filling to ensure the Atayef does not break

7 Baking: brush melted butter or oil on each side. Bake at 180˚C for about 10 minutes or until crispy golden Flip if required Frying: deep fry them until golden and crispy

Once the Atayef is cooked and while hot, dip in the sugar syrup

MakingtheSyrup

Mix the water, sugar, lemon juice in a saucepan Dissolve the ingredients and bring to a boil 1

2 Add the lemon and the orange blossom to the saucepan. Lower the heat and cook for 5 minutes to let the syrup thicken

3

Leave in the saucepan to cool and serve with your Atayef.