With Easter approaching, take out your baking tools and lets make some Kwarezimal!
So what are Kwarezimal? Kwarezimal are traditional Maltese biscuits also known as Lenten biscuits since they are typically enjoyed during Lent. Lent is the 40 days leading up towards Easter, a time of sacrifice and repentance. Since Kwarezimal are considered half way between sweet and savoury, they have been the accepted treat during this time. So go ahead and treat yourself with this recipe from Sam Cooks.
The rich flavour of the Kwarezimal comes from the mixture of spices and essences, combining to give the perfect concoction to make you want to have yet another bite (or a hundred!). Kwarezimal tend to be a little crunchy on the outside but have a chewy soft centre and look so dainty with the melted honey and nuts on top. With regard to the method, it’s a really really easy recipe so they can even be baked as family activity getting the kids busy.
It’s such a pity that Kwarezimal only make their appearance during the period of Easter and vanish from the shops only a few days after. But here’s the recipe to make your own homemade batch, and we promise we won’t tell anyone if you plan to make them all year round!
Ingredients:
350g pure ground almonds
150g plain flour (more if needed)
250g caster sugar
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp mixed spice
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground nutmeg
Zest from 1 lemon and 2 oranges
2 medium eggs at room temperature
2tsp almond liqueur or anisette
1tsp orange blossom water (ilma zahar)
2 tsp Vanilla essence
1tsp almond essence
Honey
Crushed roasted pistachios and almonds for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 180C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl whisk the dry ingredients together ( ground almonds, flour, sugar, cocoa powder and spices).
- In another bowl mix the rest of the ingredients except for the honey and roasted nuts.
- Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and slow the wet ingredients, continuously stirring until a dough consistency is achieved.
- Knead the dough and divide into 6 equal balls. Roll and elongate to form cylinders. They will flatten out on their own whilst baking.
- Place your cylinders on the baking sheet, leave 2 inch space between them and mark a criss-cross pattern on top using the back side of the knife.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until slightly browned.
- When they are baked, take them out, drizzle honey on top while still hot and sprinkle with the nuts. Leave to cool on a cooling rack.
You can also check Samantha’s Instagram page @sams.sweet.savoury
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