Ghoriba

Ghoriba is a shortbread-type biscuit, prepared in Syria and many other parts of the Arab world. It is a round, shortbread cookie made with flour, sugar, butter, and different kinds of almonds, pistachio, or coconut. It is often served with Arabic coffee or mint tea.

You can find the best kinds of Ghoriba in most of Syrian bakeries. It is the favorite traditional dessert in the Syrian cuisine for all occasions. Ghoriba usually sold in a pre-packaged form in metal boxes. This kind of biscuit is known as a part of local culture and tradition in Syria.

Ingredients

2 cups Flour

1 cup Butter

1 cup powdered Sugar

1 egg White

  Salt

For garnishing

 Coarsely ground pistachio, and pistachio halves

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

2.  Mix the butter and sugar in an electric mixing bowl, then add flour and salt. Turn on medium speed until dough forms.

3. Put ground pistachio in a shallow dish. Set aside.

4. Take a walnut sized piece of dough. Roll in hands forming a ball. Place ball onto the coarse ground pistachio and press gently so the bottom is covered with pistachio.

5. Place onto cookie sheet. Repeat with rest of cookie dough separating cookies 1 inch apart.

6. Decorate each cookie with pistachio half.

7. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cookies should not turn brown in color before removing.

8. Remove Ghoriba from oven. Let cool for 2-3 minutes and transfer cookies to a cookie rack.

Hamsa.Zughib