Batheeth is a specialty of the United Arab Emirates and many of the countries of the Gulf. It is a clever way of making a pastry without the use of an oven (something that was lacking in the deserts long ago). I roll out the dough and cut it into shapes. And then the best is yet to come, a squiggly drizzle of melted chocolate to bring it to another level. Pour a demitasse of fragrant Arabic coffee and enjoy.
MAKES: 5 dozen pastries
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ cup clarified butter
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- 1½ cups flour
- 3 cups chopped pitted dates (soft like medjool)
- 10 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa), in pieces
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a small saucepan melt the butter, add the nutmeg and cardamom and set aside.
Place the flour in a heavy saucepan on medium heat and begin to toast the flour until it browns lightly, stirring continuously. - When the flour is ready add the dates and continue to mix until the dates soften. Pour the warm melted butter on top of the flour/date mixture and mix well. When cool enough to handle but still quite warm, turn out and knead slightly to make a dough. Roll out on a working surface, and use a cookie cutter to cut into desired shapes. I used a 2- inch heart shape for the photo. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- For the chocolate, simmer water in a saucepan. Put a heat-resistant bowl on top but not touching the water.
- Pour in the chocolate pieces and leave to melt slowly. Stir well, remove from the heat and drizzle a squiggle on each cookie. Set aside to set.
