Tunisian Date Cookies (Makroodh Makes )

• 2-1/2 cup semolina flour
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup finely chopped dates
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp. orange-flower water (mazahar)
• 2 cups oil
• 2 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

1. Combine semolina, butter, vanilla, eggs, and salt; knead to make a smooth dough, adding a little water if necessary.
2. shape dough into cylinders about 2 1/2 inches long and one inch in diameter.
3. Hold a cylinder in palm of hand and make a small trench.
4. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of dates in trench; then close and pat into a rectangular cookie.
5. Repeat with remaining cylinders.
6. allow to rest for one hour.
7. In the meantime, make syrup.
8. In a saucepan place honey, water, and mazahar, and, stirring constantly, bring to boil.
9. Set aside, but keep warm over low heat.
10. Heat oil in a saucepan; then fry the makroodhs over medium heat until the turn golden brown, adding more oil if necessary.
11. Dip hot makroodhs in honey syrup, then drain and allow to cool.
12. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar and serve.

flour, butter, vanilla, eggs, salt, dates, honey, water, orangeflower water, oil, sugar

Taken from www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/20126 (may not work)