Memories of Grandma Lela - Mamoul, Maamoul (Syrian Date Cookies)

Some of the things that remind me of my Grandma Lela are her sewing, crocheted slippers, embroidery and her Syrian Date Cookies (aka Mamoul or Maamoul). She would always make them, put them in a tin and bring with her on the airplane when she came to see us.

Grandma Lela (Wasn't she beautiful?)

Today I decided to make some so I thought I would share "how to" with everyone. They are nummy.

There are many versions of the receipe out there on the web. Some use semonila flour and yeast. I use a simpler version using white flour.

First you will want to gather the ingredients:

1 3/4 Cups of Flour
1 1/2 Sticks Unsalted Butter cut into small pieces
3 tsp Orange Flower Water or Rose Water - (or 1/2 & 1/2 of each.. that's what I did)
2 TBSP Milk
Filling:
1/2 pound pitted dates (or I found baking dates in the Middle Eastern Store. It's already a jam/paste consistency so you can skip the step below to make the filling.)
3 TBSP Water

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

To prepare the filling if you can't find the baking dates:
1. Put pitted dates and water in a saucepan over low heat. Bring to a simmer, reduce and stir often until the consistency is thick and jam-like. Spread the filling on a plate or shallow bowl to cool.

To make the dough:
1. Put the flour in a mixing bowl

2. Cut up the unsalted butter into small pieces (mine was frozen so it broke up nicely.)

4. Add the butter to the flour and use a pastry cutter to blend w/ flour until a crumbly consistency (or use a food processor.)

5. Sprinkle Orange and/or Rose Water & milk over flour/butter and blend just until the dough forms a ball.

To prepare the cookies:
1. Break off a piece of the dough and make a ball (you will want to make yours smaller than the one pictured below.)

2. Use your thumb or index finger to make an indentation in the ball of dough.

3. Expand the indentation to make the dough a small cup shape.

4. Put a small teaspoon full of filling inside and pinch the dough closed.

5. Now with this step if you do not have a mold you would place the cookie seam side down on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave about 1 inch between each and use a fork to flatten a little & make decorative edges. If you have a mold see the directions continued below.

To shape the cookie in the mold:
1. Dust the mold with flour.

2. Place the dough ball into the mold and press firmly. Try to keep it as flat on the bottom & even with the top of mold (I had too much in the one that was photographed. I got better as I went along guessing how much to use for each cookie.) When done tap firmly on counter to expel the cookie and place on the baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

To Bake & Finish:
1. Bake for 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Do NOT let them brown. They should remain very white. Since there is no sugar added to the dough there should be very little carmelization. (The photo below is them heading INTO the oven.)

2. Remove from oven and cool on the pan placed on a wire rack. Once cooled dust with powdered sugar.

Eat & enjoy.... Grandma's comfort food at its finest. 

Bizarre Foods.... "If it looks good... eat it"....

You know how you drive by a car accident and can't help but look at it? You are pretty sure you really don't want to see the actual blood and gore but you look anyway?

That's how I am most of the time when I am watching Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel. Some of the stuff is interesting and other times I'm like... ugh... no thanks, I'll pass even though I consider myself a very adventurous eater.

Last night JoAnne, Dr. Rod and myself went to a restaurant in Tijuana called Severios. JoAnne and I have been there many times before and we normally order this wonderful Seared Tuna that is completely delightful.... We ordered that last night and Dr. Rod ordered a few more things for us to try...

This is Octopus... it was really good. I've had Octopus before and normally find it very tough but this was tender and not chewy.

Now, the one dish I've seen Andrew Zimmern have on his Madrid, Spain episode is Baby Squid cooked in their own ink. I've always found it interesting but have never been brave enough to order it myself. Dr. Rod ordered it and I was still hesitant but willing to try...

Let me tell you it was DELICIOUS. Nothing like I imagined it would taste like and definitely something I would order again. Here's a photo... it doesn't look appealing being all black but it is really good... If you have the opportunity to try it I suggest that you do....

Here's a couple more photos of my trip to Tijuana...

Dr. Sanchez & myself...

Dr. Elmo & Myself in lead aprons ready for the patient's leak tests.

The Queen of Sheba Spokane

On Saturday I picked Madeleine up from Camp south of Sandpoint and took her to the airport so she could go back to Seattle for August.

Savannah went with us and we stopped at the most fabulous Ethiopian restaurant... which is good because it's the only one in Spokane. 

The owner, Almaz, is the nicest lady and she always remembers us. If you are coming to Spokane for any reason I highly suggest going here.... you won't regret it. The restaurant is located in a cute building called The Flour Mill and it kinda has the same feel as the lower level of Pike Place Market.

Here's the link to the restaurant website Queen of Sheba Spokane - Click here!

Now some photos for you to see:

Madeleine and the Owner, Almaz. Such a nice lady!

I can't remember the name of this game but you move the stones around.

Nummy food!

Madeleine on the other side of Security screening... bye Madeleine!

The Work Trip.... Las Vegas has really changed....

Right after the 4th of July I went on a three week work trip. I flew down to California and from there JoAnne and I went to Tijuana a few times to help our patients there... then back to California and onto Vegas.

Here's some pictures of the TJ part of the trip...

Jamie & Alberto with Bibi behind us... (We actually really hate each other.)

Bibi, Jamie and JoAnne

Jamie & Joe

 While we were there Dr. Reyes took off a defective toenail I had.. he claims a new one will grow back even better than before... I hope so...

Dr. Reyes and Jamie

Jamie and Dr. Juan... he's relaxing after helping Dr. Reyes fix my toenail.

Now, because JoAnne felt that a little excitement was needed and she didn't want me to be the only cripple in the bunch during this trip, she dislocated her shoulder while sleeping at the hotel on Tuesday night.

We woke up Dr. Elmo at the hotel at 3:30 AM then he and I loaded her up in the car and took her over to the hospital. Dr. Reyes was already called and so he arrived shortly after and had already called a specialist to come over and put it back in place. She then rested the rest of the night at the hospital. Here she is the next morning feeling much better. Thank you Doctors for being there to help in the middle of the night!

Dr. Rod, JoAnne and Dr. Reyes

I found this interesting... did you know that you can clip rosemary bushes into different shapes or hedges?

The next part of the work trip was going to our new hospital location in Las Vegas. I remember going to Las Vegas in 1994 for a convention but I must have gone sometime in 2004 according to the MGM properties because they had me having a club card then. I must have gone with a friend that use to work for Alaska Airline and we use to just hop on a plane with no notice and come right back after a few hours...

Everything sure has changed.. we had a good time as well as working.. here's some random shots of the trip.

JoAnne and Teri

Teri and JoAnne working hard from the Resort.