Khaleeji Cuisine: 'AFOOSA ~ Date Fudge Dessert

As I have mentioned a short time ago, I had to temporally stop blogging about my kitchen adventures due to the lack of camera. But, today I've stumbled upon some photos I took last year, illustrating a couple of not yet shared recipes. 

And now, I want to start with my most favorite dessert ever, called 'Afoosa - a super delicious date delicacy, sweet and syrupy, always filling me up with a deep sense of home and conciliation! Believe me, the very process of making it works therapeutically! As you stir while toasting flour (without oil!) and inhale the intense, warm woody fumes rising from a pan, a continuous embrace of inner piece seems overwhelming!

Ingredients:

• 250 g dates
• 150 g plain flour
• 165 ml vegetable oil

Method of cooking:

1. Mash the dates (be sure no stones are left) with a fork until soft.
2. Very important step:- toast the flour in a large saucepan over a medium heat, thus it will toast more evenly). Stir regularly until you see the flour is golden brown and smells woody. This can take you up to 15 minutes.
3. Pour in the oil and stir well until you have a brown paste. 
4. Add the dates and combine well. Keep over the heat for a few more minutes, until the mixture is perfectly fused and the bottom of the pot is clean.
5. Remove from the heat and spread out on to a plate.

I love my 'afoosa hot, right from the fire (the best way to serve it), but it remains tasty even when chilled! You may reheat it with a little quantity of oil, if needed! Sometimes, depending on the quantity of oil I use, 'afoosa may come out to be dry and have a sand-like texture, but, I think, it's the rarest kind of dishes that you can hardly spoil - it tastes heavenly whatever way you cook it!


Image via here  

I took the recipe from a Kuwaiti author, Sarah Al-Hamad's [above] fascinating cookbook “Cardamom and Lime”. The book (a jacketed hardcover) is intimately written and contains plenty of delicious recipes from a traditional Gulf cuisine, accompanied by interesting notes on Gulf's daily life and eating habits. 

It is full of fine photography taken by the author, picturing recipes and scenes seen in the food markets and street shops of the Gulf. Very recommended!

Try using this Barnes and Noble coupon for this beautiful book.