Date almond tea ring

make a sweet bread

dissolve
1 tsp sugar, in
1/2 cup lukewarm water
sprinkle 1 pack of yeast, (2 1/4 tsp) over this
let sit for at least 10 minutes until it foams up

In a large bowl

1 cup of milk(scalded)
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
2 tlbs wheat germ(optional)
1 egg slightly beaten

stir yeast mixture and add to milk mix

beat in 2 cups of flour (beat well)

gradually add 2 -3 cups more of flour until it pull away from the sides
knead for about 10 minutes on a floured surface adding 1 tlbs of flour at a time if it become sticky
form into a smooth ball and place in a greased bowl making sure to rotate ball to grease it all over
cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled (2 hours)
punch down and knead for a couple minutes
cut in half making 2 balls using only half
roll out into a rectangle
brush edges with butter

sprinkle with this mixture

1/4 cup brown sugar lightly packed
1/3 cup dates pitted and chopped
1/4 cup chopped almonds

roll up like a jelly roll
make a ring and slit eadges 3/4 way though turning slightly
let rise again for about 45 minutes covered

preheat oven to 400 and bake for 20 to 25 minutes

(you may want to use the other half of the dough to make doughnuts or cinnamon buns)

Graham Crackers

I got inspiration for this recipe from the beat this cookbook but since I didn't have some of the ingredients I came up with my own recipe.

2 cups flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 tlbs black strap molasses
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp instant ginger tea
1/4 cup butter (cut in slices)
1/3 cup honey
6 tlbs cold water

In a bowl mix the molasses and sugar together(if you have brown sugar don't use the molasses)
add the flour, wheat germ, baking soda, salt, spices and butter mix to a cornmeal mixture, add the water and form a dough it should hold together and not fall apart

Butter and dust a cookie sheet with flour or use parchment paper, roll out dough thin
you may use a cookies cutter or just make squares prick all over with a fork and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 15 minutes

use for your favorite pie crust or a eat as a nice snack!

Jinnejobe (ngalakh)

4 cups bouye or any tropical juice
1 cup peanut butter
1/4 can milk(optional)

blend all ingredients well, a blender is ideal, put in a container and place in fridge to cool

4 cups cooked millet or couscous

dish out warm millet in bowls and serve cooled jinnejobe over, you can add any dried or fresh fruit. I would eat this at breakfast as it is really filling.

This is also called ngalakh check out the recipe in the congo cookbook i don't usually have orange flower water on hand so i didn't include it in the recipe.

Banana split dessert

I didn't have a picture ready for this recipe but it is a layered pie like dessert. This recipe is compliments of my uncle Art:)









First layer:
2 cups graham wafer crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
mix and press into a 13 x 9 pan, chill

Second layer:
1/2 cup butter
8 0z package cream cheese
11/2 cup icing sugar
2 tsp vanilla
mix and spread over first layer

Third layer:
19 0z can crushed pineapple drained
3 sliced bananas
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
mix fruit, put on second layer

Topping:
1 container of cool whip or prepared dream whip
1/4 cup coconut (optional)
spread over third layer; sprinkle with coconut

let set in fridge all day or overnight

enjoy

Chakery

2 cups cooked couscous
2 cups yogurt
1/2 cup can milk
1 can of crushed pineapple
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp vanilla bean crushed

Combine all ingredients until well blended, sprinkle with cinnamon

Churah Gerteh

This is a popular African breakfast dish made of peanuts and rice, I really like eating this during Ramadan. Here's how I do it.

2 cups of cooked rice
1/2 cup of peanut butter
4 cups of water
1/2 cup of sugar

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat until thickened, stirring occasionally.

dish into bowls then add milk or yogurt to your liking.

Fiqh and Food

The marriage of the Prophet(pbuh) and Zainab bint Jahsh(ra) gave way for some important laws and social ettiquettes that we all strive to follow inshallah, one it gave the ruling on not ascribng oneself to your adopted parents and put it in practice with the Messenger marrying the ex wife of his adopted son, Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah . But if you do not know their fathers - then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.(33.5) And [remember, O Muْammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah ," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.(33.37) and also let us know overstaying your welcome is not cool and of course the ruling on veiling O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.(33.53)

Another miracle the Prophet(pbuh) recieved was food. Umm saleem prepared Hais and sent it with her son Anas Ibn Malik to the wedding party, approximately 300 guests attended, the food that she sent besides the sheep that was slaughted would not have filled all the guests but each time guests came for the food more appeared in the container and they ate till their fill. It was truly a feast!! Subhanallah. Although this wedding buffet was the most extravant of the Prophet(pbuh) hais was also enjoyed at his wedding with Saffiya(ra).

Here is a recipe for hais I found, enjoy

HAIS
Enough stale bread for 5 cups of crumbs
1 cup finely ground almonds
1 cup finely ground pistachios
5 cups pitted dates (about 2-1/2 lbs.)
1 cup melted butter or mild sesame oil
Confectioner's or superfine sugar

Using a food processor or blender, pulverize enough stale bread to make 5 cups, then set aside. Finely chop the nuts, and set aside. Finely chop the dates, then add the nuts a bit at a time until all are incorporated; then add the bread crumbs in the same manner. Pour in the melted butter all at once and continue to process until the texture is smooth.

Roll into balls or fingers, dust with sugar, and let rest in a cool place before serving

Mom's Banana Bread

This is my mom's recipe

2 1/2 cup flour

3 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup margarine

1 egg

1 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

3/4 cup milk

3 overripe bananas mashed

Cream together margarine, eggs and sugar, add the other ingredients and beat until smooth

Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes in a greased loaf pan dusted with flour

3 way

Date Shake
1 cup yogurt
1 cup milk
1 cup pitted Medjool dates
2 cups ice cubes
Blend until smooth in a blender

Date Crescents
21/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup melted butter
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 olive oil


preheat oven to 350*F

rub butter into flour until even, dissolve sugar in milk over low heat, let cool, pour milk into flour, add oil and mix until a soft dough forms, knead until smooth. add more flour if needed.

date filing
8 oz pitted dates
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp rose water
chop dates and put in a sauce pan with butter over meduim heat stir until mixture is pasty, remove from heat and stir in rosewater.

roll out dough on a light floured surface until 1/4 inch thick, cut dough in rounds using a cookie cutter place a tsp of filling in centre fold over and crimp dough together with a fork.

bake on ungreased baking sheet until lightly coloured 20- 25 minutes, let cool, enjoy


Stuffed Dates
Pit your date and slice in half
stuff with 2 oz of cream cheese
sprinkle with chopped pecans

3 way

Ginger tea
1/2 cup grated ginger
4 cups water
honey to taste
simmer ginger for about 15 minutes if too strong add more water or if too weak simmer a little longer, strain add honey enjoy

Ginger foot soak
2 tlbs grated ginger
1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil
4 cups water
simmer ginger in water for about 20 minutes, strain into a foot basin, add more lukewarm water till your liking stir in essential oil and relax

Ginger snaps
1 cup of molasses can use blackstrap if you have it
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of butter
1 tbsp baking soda dissolved in a little water
1 egg beaten
1 tbsp ginger
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp salt
2 3/4 cup flour
heat molasses just under boiling add sugar, remove from heat add butter and baking soda, cool, add egg, sift dry ingredients then stir in . chill then roll out, cut into shapes bake at 375 until golden brown 10-12 minutes