More Tunisian Cakes

Haifa brought some more cakes as a gift to my family for Christmas. Just wanted to share a photo, as they're so pretty. They taste how they look; almond, pistachio, honey, rose water and orange flower water.

Tunisian Cakes

My brother's Tunisian fiancé came to the UK this week, to meet the family. She brought these beautiful homemade cakes as a gift. They are absolutely delicious; not too sweet, so you can really taste the fragrant pine nuts, almonds, pistachios, orange flower water, rose water and dried fruit that they are made of. As my tactful mum commented in response to opening the boxes of these treasures, "wow, you've really started off well here!".

It makes me emotional when such an effort is put in to make food so pretty and delicate and delicious. For me, that is what life is about, making the most of basic human pleasures, and giving to each other. See! The cakes have even made me philosophical! Is this normal?

Fragrant Pomegranate

I was inspired by the scents and flavours of the Arabic pastries, and by having pomegranates in the larder. The consequential imaginings of North African/ Tunisian fruit salad made my mouth water, but I did not have all the ingredients necessary (pomegranate, dried dates, banana and other suitable fruits that you might have in stock, with rose water, orange flower water), and wasn't in the mood to chop fruit. So, I just cut a pomegranate in half, and sprinkled the cut edge of one half with orange flower water and rose water, then tucked in with a teaspoon. Delightful! It worked a treat, was fresh and fragrant, and evoked the flavours of the Orient. Makes a refreshing snack.