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Ma'amoul (Arabian Filled Pastries)

Ma'amoul are pastries filled with dates or nuts, and they are popular throughout the Arab world. They can be made in special ma'amoul moulds, and there are three shapes of mould. The flattish circular shape is used for date ma’amoul; the round domed shape for walnut ma’amoul; the long oval for pistachio ma’amoul. Some families do not use moulds, but have special crimping tweezers for making patterns on the top of the pastry. Alternatively, a fork may be used. The Sephardi Jews of the Eastern Mediterranean refer to date ma'amoul as menenas. These are often made in the f

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Ingredients 16 ingredients

  1. ½ lb (250 g) finely-chopped pistachios
  2. ¼ lb sugar
  3. 1 tbsp rose water
  4. ½ lb (250 g) finely-chopped walnuts
  5. 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  6. 1 lb (500 g) pitted dates, chopped
  7. ½ teacup water
  8. Butter (optional)
  9. 1 lb (500 g) plain white flour (up to a quarter of the flour may be replaced with fine semolina)
  10. 2 tbsp white sugar
  11. 1 pinch of salt (optional)
  12. Baking powder (optional)
  13. ½ lb (250 g) unsalted butter (Normandy butter is best)
  14. 1–2 tbsp rose water or orange flower water
  15. 2 tbsp water or milk
  16. Icing sugar

Possible health benefits

General information, not medical advice.

  1. Pistachio nut High in thiamine · High in vitamin B6 · High in potassium · +10

    High in thiamine · 0.9 mg per 100 g, 79% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Thiamine contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Thiamine contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Thiamine contributes to normal psychological function.
    1 more authorised claims
    • Thiamine contributes to the normal function of the heart.

    Thiamin (also called vitamin B1) helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. Thiamin is important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body. NIH fact sheet

    High in vitamin B6 · 1.7 mg per 100 g, 121% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    7 more authorised claims
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.

    Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. NIH fact sheet

    High in potassium · 1025 mg per 100 g, 51% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Potassium contributes to normal muscle function.
    • Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.

    Potassium is a mineral found in many foods. Your body needs potassium for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. NIH fact sheet

    High in phosphorus · 490 mg per 100 g, 70% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Phosphorus contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Phosphorus contributes to normal function of cell membranes.
    • Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
    1 more authorised claims
    • Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.

    Phosphorus is a mineral contained in each cell in our body. Most phosphorus is in the bones and teeth, and some is in your genes. NIH fact sheet

    High in magnesium · 121 mg per 100 g, 32% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Magnesium contributes to electrolyte balance.
    • Magnesium contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    7 more authorised claims
    • Magnesium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function.
    • Magnesium contributes to normal protein synthesis.
    • Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
    • Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.
    • Magnesium has a role in the process of cell division.

    Magnesium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure and making protein, bone, and DNA. NIH fact sheet

    High in copper · 1.3 mg per 100 g, 130% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues.
    • Copper contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Copper contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    5 more authorised claims
    • Copper contributes to normal hair pigmentation.
    • Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body.
    • Copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation.
    • Copper contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Copper contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

    Copper is a mineral that you need to stay healthy. Your body uses copper to carry out many important functions, including making energy, connective tissues, and blood vessels. NIH fact sheet

    High in manganese · 1.2 mg per 100 g, 60% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Manganese contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
    • Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue.
    1 more authorised claims
    • Manganese contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

    Manganese is a mineral that your body needs to stay healthy. Your body uses manganese to make energy and protect your cells from damage. NIH fact sheet

    High in unsaturated fat · 38 g per 100 g, 86% of its fatty acids unsaturated

    • Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels [MUFA and PUFA are unsaturated fats].
    • Replacing saturated fats in the diet with unsaturated fats contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. Oleic acid is an unsaturated fat..

    Source of vitamin E · 2.9 mg per 100 g, 24% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

    Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient found in many foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet

    Source of folate · 51 µg per 100 g, 26% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.
    • Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis.
    • Folate contributes to normal blood formation.
    5 more authorised claims
    • Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
    • Folate contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Folate contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Folate has a role in the process of cell division.

    Folate is a B-vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Your body needs folate to make DNA and other genetic material. NIH fact sheet

    Source of iron · 3.9 mg per 100 g, 28% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Iron contributes to normal cognitive function.
    • Iron contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Iron contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin.
    4 more authorised claims
    • Iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body.
    • Iron contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Iron has a role in the process of cell division.

    Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. NIH fact sheet

    Source of zinc · 2.2 mg per 100 g, 22% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis.
    • Zinc contributes to normal acid-base metabolism.
    • Zinc contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism.
    15 more authorised claims
    • Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function.
    • Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction.
    • Zinc contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism.
    • Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of fatty acids.
    • Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of vitamin A.
    • Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis.
    • Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
    • Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
    • Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
    • Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
    • Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood.
    • Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
    • Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
    • Zinc has a role in the process of cell division.

    Zinc is a nutrient that people need to stay healthy. Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. NIH fact sheet

    Source of protein · 20 g per 100 g, 14% of the energy from protein

    • Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
    • Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
    • Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.

    Nutrients per 100 g of “Nuts, pistachio nuts, raw”, USDA FoodData Central.

  2. Date High in potassium · High in copper · Source of vitamin B6

    High in potassium · 696 mg per 100 g, 35% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Potassium contributes to normal muscle function.
    • Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.

    Potassium is a mineral found in many foods. Your body needs potassium for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. NIH fact sheet

    High in copper · 0.4 mg per 100 g, 36% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues.
    • Copper contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Copper contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    5 more authorised claims
    • Copper contributes to normal hair pigmentation.
    • Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body.
    • Copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation.
    • Copper contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Copper contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

    Copper is a mineral that you need to stay healthy. Your body uses copper to carry out many important functions, including making energy, connective tissues, and blood vessels. NIH fact sheet

    Source of vitamin B6 · 0.2 mg per 100 g, 18% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    7 more authorised claims
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.

    Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. NIH fact sheet

    Nutrients per 100 g of “Dates, medjool”, USDA FoodData Central.

Claims: EU Register of health claims (Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, © European Union, CC BY 4.0), shown only where the ingredient meets the claim's conditions (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006). Nutrients: USDA FoodData Central (CC0). Facts: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (public domain).

Cook safely

Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.

  • Oven and hot trays. Use dry oven gloves for trays and dishes: a hot tray looks just like a cold one. Open the oven door away from your face and let the first rush of heat out.
  • Boiling water and steam. Turn pan handles inward, away from the edge of the hob. Lift lids away from you, and pour hot water away from your body: steam burns too.
  • Blending hot liquid. Let it cool a little first, fill the blender no more than a third, and hold the lid down with a folded towel. Start on the lowest speed. A stick blender in the pan is safer.
  • Sharp knives. Cut on a board that doesn't slip (a damp cloth under it helps), and curl the fingers of the hand that holds the food.

Method

  1. Mix chopped pistachios with sugar and rose water.
  2. Mix chopped walnuts with sugar and cinnamon.
  3. Combine the chopped dates and water in a pot. Bring to a boil, squashing the mixture against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon until approximately uniform in consistency. Mix in the butter if using. Blend with an electric chopper if desired to make a smoother paste. Allow to cool.
  4. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Mix with the white sugar, and a pinch of salt if desired. Some people add a very small quantity of baking powder.
  5. Work in the butter until the consistency is as uniform as possible; one way is to heat the butter in the microwave first until it is nearly melted, and then mix it with the flour into a sort of crumble. Cover and leave at room temperature for several hours to overnight.
  6. Break up the dough with your fingers, and add the rose water or orange flower water and 2 tbsp water or milk until it is malleable. Knead the whole into a smooth ball.
  7. Take a walnut-sized ball of the dough, stick your thumb into it, and hollow out into a cup shape so that the walls are as thin as possible without breaking.
  8. Insert filling to about three-quarters full, and pinch the aperture closed. Pat gently into a ball, not letting the walls break.
  9. Decorate the ball on top with tweezers or the prongs of a fork. Alternatively, pat it into a wooden mould and flatten the exposed bottom surface, then bang the mould face down on the work surface to extract the moulded pastry.
  10. Repeat the assembly steps until all the dough and the filling is used. If at any stage the remaining dough shows signs of drying out, knead in a little more water or milk.
  11. Place the pastries on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven (180°C / 355°F; 160°C if a fan oven) for 20 minutes: they must not be allowed to become hard or brown. In fact they should look a little moist and underdone when removed from the oven: they will steam off and harden as they cool.
  12. Leave the pastries to cool, and dust with icing sugar when cold. Keep in a sealed plastic box or biscuit tin.

Plating

Cookware for this recipe

  • Saucepan
  • Baking tray
  • Mixing bowl
  • Blender
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon
  • Sieve
Source CC-BY-SA-4.0
Credit

"Ma'amoul (Arabian Filled Pastries)" from the Wikibooks Cookbook (https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Ma%27amoul_(Arabian_Filled_Pastries), revision 4587208), by its contributors (https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=Cookbook:Ma'amoul_(Arabian_Filled_Pastries)&action=history), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).

Revision 4587208

What was changed: Reformatted by FoodByNation from the wiki page: ingredients and steps extracted, links and templates removed, diet notes detected from the ingredients. This adaptation is also licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.