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== Description ==
Iraqi filled pastries
* Yield: About 48 cheese- or almond-filled pastries; about 30 date-filled pastries. (About 1 cup of cheese filling or 1¼ cups of almond or date fillings)

== Ingredients ==
* 1 package [[active dry yeast]]
* 1 cup lukewarm [[water]] (105 to 115°F)
* 3 cups [[all-purpose flour]], sifted
* ½ teaspoon [[salt]]
* 1 teaspoon [[baking powder]]
* 1 tablespoon ground [[fennel seed|fennel]]
* ½ cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons [[unsalted butter]], melted
* [[#Cheese filling|Cheese]], [[#Almond filling|almond]] or [[#Date filling||date filling]] (see recipes)
* 1 [[egg white]], beaten (if using date filling)
* [[sesame seed]]s (if using date filling)

=== Cheese filling ===
* ½ cup shredded [[jarlsberg]] cheese
* ½ cup shredded [[muenster]] cheese
* 1 [[egg]]

=== Almond filling ===
* 1 cup [[almond meal|ground almonds]] (or [[walnuts]])
* ⅓ cup [[granulated sugar]]
* 1 tablespoon [[rose water]] (see note)
* 1 tablespoon [[orange flower water|orange blossom water]] (see note)
* 1 teaspoon ground [[cardamom]] (if using [[walnuts]])

=== Date filling ===
* 8 ounces pitted [[dates]], cut into small pieces
* 2 tablespoons [[unsalted butter]]
* 1 tablespoon [[milk]]

== Procedures ==
# Combine [[yeast]] and [[water]]; set aside 10 minutes.
# Mix together [[flour]], [[salt]], [[baking powder]], [[fennel]], [[yeast]] mixture and melted [[butter]] in bowl of electric mixer until everything comes together (don't overbeat).
# Cover with damp cloth.
# Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

=== Cheese and Almond fillings ===
# Roll out dough about ¼ inch thick; cut into 3-inch rounds.
# Place 1 teaspoon filling in center.
# Brush edge with [[water]]; fold to make a half-moon shape.
# Seal edges with tines of fork.
# Bake in a preheated 425°F oven 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
# For date filling: roll out dough about ¼ inch thick; cut into 3-inch rounds.
# Place 1 teaspoon date filling in center.
# Gather dough up around filling; pinch to seal.
# Roll into a ball; flatten with rolling pin.
# Brush with [[egg]] white.
# Sprinkle with [[sesame seed]]s.
# Pierce surface with a fork.
# Bake in a preheated 425°F oven 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

=== Cheese filling ===
# Combine cheeses and [[egg]] in medium bowl; mix well. Use as directed for Iraqi filled pastries.

=== Almond filling ===
# Mix [[almond]]s with [[granulated sugar|sugar]], [[rose water]] and [[orange flower water|orange blossom water]] in small bowl.
# Add [[cardamom]] if using [[walnuts]].
# Use as directed for Iraqi filled pastries.
# Note: rose and [[orange]] blossom waters are available at pharmacies.

=== Date filling ===
# Place [[dates]], [[butter]] and [[milk]] in top of double boiler; set over simmering [[water]].
# Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is soft and doughy.
# Let cool.
# Form into small balls.
# Use as directed in Iraqi filled pastries.

__NOTOC__
[[Category:Iraqi cuisine]]
[[Category:Dessert Recipes]]
[[Category:Pastry Recipes]]
[[Category:Almond Recipes]]
[[Category:Walnut Recipes]]
[[Category:Cardamom Recipes]]
[[Category:Cheese Recipes]]
[[Category:Cheese pastry Recipes]]
[[Category:Dates Recipes]]
[[Category:Fennel seed Recipes]]