Date and Nut Pastries Recipes

Ingredients :

4 cups plain flour

1 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes

3 tbsp rose-water

4-5 tbsp milk

icing sugar, for sprinkling

For the filling:

1.25 cups dates, stoned and chopped

1.25 cups walnuts, finely chopped

3/4 cup blanched almonds, chopped

1/2 cup pistachio nuts, chopped

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

Method :

Preheat the oven to 160C / 325F / Gas 3. First make the filling: place the dates, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, water, sugar and cinnamon in a small saucepan and cook over a low heat until the dates are soft and the water has been absorbed. Place the flour in a large bowl and add the butter, working it into the flour with your fingertips. Add the rose-water and milk and knead the dough until it's soft. Take walnut-size lumps of dough.

Roll each into a ball and hollow with your thumb. Pinch the sides. Place a spoonful of date mixture in the hollow and then press the dough back over the filling to seal. Arrange the pastries on a large baking tray. Press to flatten them slightly. Make little dents with a fork on the pastry. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Do not let them change color or the pastry will become hard. Cool slightly and then sprinkle with icing sugar and serve.

Makes 35-40

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