Halawet el Jibn (Sweet Cheese Rolls)
πΈπΎ Syria
Ingredients
- 1 lb mozzarella curds
- 5 tbsp semolina flour
- 1/4 cup attar (sugar syrup)
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp crushed pistachios
Steps
- Shred the mozzarella curds by hand directly into a large skillet.
- Melt the cheese over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it releases liquid and is about 90% melted.
- Sprinkle in the semolina flour gradually, mixing well to avoid clumps.
- After adding about half the semolina, pour in the attar syrup and continue mixing. Add the orange blossom water.
- Continue adding the remaining semolina gradually, mixing until the mixture thickens into a smooth dough that pulls away from the pan sides.
- Line a work surface with parchment paper and drizzle a little attar syrup on it.
- Transfer the hot dough onto the parchment, cover with another sheet, and roll into a thin rectangle about 1/2 cm thick.
- Trim the edges with a pizza cutter to form a clean rectangle.
- Spread or pipe a thin line of ricotta cheese across the dough, then roll it up like a cinnamon roll.
- Cut the roll into small pieces with a serrated knife, or cut the dough into 4x4 inch squares, fill with ricotta, and fold for larger pieces.
- Arrange on a serving plate, top with crushed pistachios, and drizzle with more attar syrup before serving.
Notes
Attar is a sugar syrup often flavored with rose or orange blossom water, commonly used in Levantine desserts.
Source: www.simplyleb.com