Ghorayeba Recipes

GHRAYBEH (MIDDLE EASTERN SHORTBREAD COOKIE)

Steps:

• First, mix the butter with the powdered sugar using a rubber spatula. You want to cream the both together until they are combined nicely.
• Then, add 1 cup of flour at a time. Use the same spatula to mix it all together. When folding in the second cup, mix with your hands in order to have everything well incorporated. It should resemble pie dough. You want to be able to shape a disk or ball out of the dough. Don't be discouraged if the dough appears crumbly; keep working with it until it all comes together because it will!
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour. This is imperative.
• Once you take out the dough, it should be hard to touch but it will be easier to mold once the heat of your hands come in contact.
• Grab 1 tbsp size piece of dough and shape like a small ball and slightly flatten the top. Make sure it is smooth. Add 1 piece of pistachio or almond on top by gently pressing it down half way. Place on a parchment lined baking tray.
• Keep repeating this step until there is no longer any dough. Make sure there is a few inches of space between the cookies.
• Bake in a 350 F oven for 15-20 minutes max. The bottom should be lightly browned. Bake at the middle rack all throughout or the bottom rack for 15 min then the top rack for 5 minutes.
• Allow the cookies to cool before touching or they can break. If they flatten a little bit, that is fine because it is a butter based cookie but in order to prevent flatenning; make sure the butter was room temp. to start with and the dough chilled properly.
• Sprinkle some powedered sugar on top if you would like and enjoy!

MELT-IN-MOUTH COOKIES, EGYPTIAN STYLE - GHORAYEBAH

Steps:

• Beat butter till white.
• Add Sugar and beat for 3 more minutes.
• Add A.P. flour, salt and beat for 2 minutes.
• Garnish with ½ Almond or a pine (as per photo).
• Roll it into small balls and slightly press it down by your thumb (with the almond to stick on it).
• The dough consistency should be like the moist sand but when you squeeze it in your hand-plum it should hold it self.
• leave it to rest in the Fridge for 15min.
• Bake in medium-low pre-heated oven (color should be like ivory) don't let it blush!

GHORAYEBA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, stir together the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in flour and cardamom until well blended. Pinch off tablespoonfuls of dough, and roll into a thin rope. Join the ends together in a circle, and place on a greased cookie sheet. Place almond halves on the joints where the circles come together.
• Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The cookies should remain white, but may turn golden at the very edge.