Harrow in LEAF - Alaju (Arabic Honey Slice)

	Allotment Associations & Horticultural Groups in Harrow, Middlesex

The place to share your recipes using your allotment or garden produce.

Alaju (Arabic Honey Slice)
from Judy Earl, Harrow Beekeepers Association.

This recipe has won a "First" at the Harrow in LEAF Annual Horticultural Show.

Alaju, is a sweet that is of Arabic origin but is very popular and typical of the province of Cuenca, Spain where it was first introduced by the Moors.

Ingredients:

250g of local honey
50ml vegetable oil
75g dried apricots roughly chopped
50g whole blanched almonds
39g unsalted pistachios - peeled
Coarsely grated zest of ½ lemon
Coarsely grated zest of 1 orange
150 g fine white bread crumbs (made from stale loaf)
1 teaspoon orange blossom water
1 teaspoon anise seeds toasted and lightly crushed
2 sheets rice paper each 24 cm square

Method:

Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the almonds over a gentle heat until golden brown. Remove and drain on kitchen paper.

Repeat with pistachios.

Put the honey into a saucepan with the citrus zests and slowly bring to a simmer. Add nuts, apricots and breadcrumbs. Stir continuously for 5 minutes (after a few minutes stirring it will become solid mass …keep stirring and turning for whole of 5 minutes).

Remove pan from heat and add orange blossom water and anise. Stir well

Turn the mixture onto a sheet of rice paper and spread out evenly. Cover with second sheet of rice paper and press down to about a fingers thickness. Roll out smoothly and evenly.

Neaten edges and allow to cool. Cut into portions and store in airtight tin.

Preparation Time:

Approximately 30 - 45 minutes

Final Tips:

Serve with coffee as a petit four.

Try and use honey from local bees born and bred in Harrow. Honey will be available for purchase at the Harrow In LEAF Annual Horticultural show.

Published: 24th Mar 2012

By main ingredient:

Apples

Blackberries

Beans

Beetroot

Carrots

Courgettes

Honey

Leeks

Marrow

Mint

Parsnips

Peas

Potatoes

Tomatoes

Zucchini

Have you got a favourite seasonal recipe to share with Harrow in Leaf? Have you before and after photos to include?
Maybe you have tried one of our recipes, we would love to hear your opinion and experience on making and tasting.
If so, please send them in, include your allotment or society name, to: webmaster@harrowinleaf.org.uk