Lebanese pancakes with cream

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (300g) plain flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup (100g) fine semolina
  • 2 tbs caster sugar
  • 2 x 7g sachets dried yeast
  • Canola oil spray
  • Toasted chopped almonds, dried edible rose petals (optional, from gourmet food shops) & runny honey, to serve

Ashta

  • 2 cups (500ml) full-cream milk
  • 1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120g) fresh ricotta, drained, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup (75g) cornflour, sifted
  • 1 tsp rosewater
  • 1/ 2 cup (125ml) pure (thin) cream

Method

  • Place the flour, baking powder, semolina, sugar and yeast in a large bowl and mix together. Pour 3 cups (750ml) lukewarm water over the mixture and mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm place for around 1 hour 30 minutes or until the mixture doubles in size.
  • Heat a large non-stick frypan over medium-low heat and spray with a small amount of canola oil. Pour 1/4 cup (60ml) of batter at a time into the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes until the atayef starts to bubble and the top is set (do not flip it over). Repeat until all the mixture is used. (Makes 12).
  • For the ashta, place milk, sugar and ricotta in a saucepan over low heat. Mix cornflour with 1/4 cup (60ml) water then add to the ricotta mixture. Increase to medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, for 8-10 minutes until thick. Remove from the heat and add rosewater. Cover surface directly with a circle of baking paper and cool, then refrigerate to chill.
  • To assemble, place the ashta in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the cream and beat to loosen slightly. Fold the atayef pancakes in half then pinch to seal only half the edge to make a pocket. Spoon the ashta into the pocket and then scatter with almonds and dried rose petals, if using. Drizzle with honey to serve.

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