A Yemeniyah's Recipes

Alright this is the modern version I learnt from a Yemeni sister from Michigan. Apparently they use  Jiffy All Purpose Baking mix with white flour . It’s easier. BUT MAKE SURE THE MIX DOES NOT HAVE LARD IN IT. So here goes, Bismillah.

1) two 40 0z boxes of Jiffy All Purpose Baking mix

2) 2 egg whites and 2 whole eggs [keep the two egg yolks to brush the cookies before you put them in the oven]

3) 2 cups of white flour

4) 2 cups of milk

5) warm water [enough to make the dough, so amount will vary]

6) 2 cups of Olive Oil

7) 1 tsp of salt

8) 1 and 1/2 tblsp of Yeast

9) 3 tbslp of black seed

Add the white flour  and salt to the Jiffy mix. In a bowl combine the yeast, milk, eggs, oil, and black seed. Combine the dry ingredients with the liquid and work into a dough, add water until a firm dough forms. Let the dough rise for an hour and a half. Then start making them into the desired shapes [click here for suggestions] and arrange them apart on a greased cooking sheet. Brush well with mixture of egg yolks and milk. Bake immediately in a 400 Fahrenheit preheated oven until golden brown and firm. Let cool and store in an air tight container.

Here is what the dough looks like [*when you press it against your palm it should leave a trace of the oil]:

Firm dough forms

pat down dough & cover and let rise

Risen Dough

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These are regular Yemeni cookies, and they are sweet and savory. Makes a great mid afternoon snack with a cup of Yemeni tea. They store well. I am going to include two methods of making this cookies–a traditional one and a modern version that a Yemeni sister from Michigan showed me using “Jiffy All Purpose Baking Mix” So say the magic word “Bismillah” and let’s begin.

You will need:

1) 2 and a 1/2 kilos of white flour [have yet to measure in cups to make it easier for everyone Insha Allah] You can also use wheat flour if you like.

2) 1 1/2 tsp of salt [or more, taste until you feel it is as desired]

3) 2 tbslp of black seed

4) 1/4 cup sugar [granulated or powdered whatever you have on hand]

5) 1 tblsp of yeast

6) 1/2 kilo of ghee [or butter melted] –you can substitute with Canola oil.

7) 7 eggs

8) warm water [enough to make a dough]

I use a mixer, but traditionally this is all done by hand. Mix the dry ingredient together–flour, salt, sugar and yeast–and then place in the bowel of the mixer. Add the warm ghee/butter/or oil and mix well. Crack the eggs,  and mix in one cup of water with the eggs. With the mixer on add the water and egg mixture until a firm dough forms–it should be firm in that you can shape it as you wish. Also, the dough should leave a trace of oil when you press it against your palm.

Now you can make the dough into the shapes you want. Some use cookie molds, but for the most part shape by hand. Will include the shapes at the very end of this post Insh’a Allah. After you have shaped them and arranged them on a well greased cookie sheet, cover and let them rise for an hour . Then brush with a mixture of egg yolk and milk and bake in preheated 400 Fahrenheit degree oven until golden brown and firm to the touch–about 40 minutes. Let them cool and then store in an airtight container. For the modern version recipe please click here.

Here are some shapes:

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