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Areeka
Areeka (عريكة): Asiri wholemeal bread mound filled with ghee, honey and date syrup
In the green mountains of Asir in south-west Saudi Arabia, areeka is the breakfast for guests, weddings and cold mornings in Abha: thick wholemeal breads are torn while still hot and kneaded with ghee into a smooth, soft dome, then hollowed out and filled with a pool of warm ghee, mountain honey and date syrup. Everyone eats from the same plate, pinching off pieces and dragging them through the sweet centre. It is rich, warm and comforting, with a nutty wheat flavour. The usual mistake is letting the bread cool before kneading; it must be worked hot or it will not bind. Serve with cardamom coffee or milky tea, and a spoonful of cream if you like. Chef's tip: wear clean rubber gloves so you can knead the bread while it is properly hot.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the bread
- 10 ½ oz wholemeal flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 ⅛ oz gheemelted
For the centre
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 4 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp date syrup
- 4 tbsp clotted cream or thick cream (optional)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 10 ½ oz wholemeal flour, ½ tsp salt and 1 cup warm water into a soft dough and knead for 3 minutes. Rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
10 minStep 2: Divide into 3 and pat each into a round about 1.5 cm thick. Cook in a dry heavy pan over a medium-low heat, covered, until cooked through and spotted brown, 5–6 minutes a side.
30 minStep 3: While still very hot, tear the breads into small pieces into a bowl. Add 2 ⅛ oz ghee and knead and pound with your knuckles until it forms a smooth, soft, slightly sticky dough, about 5 minutes.
5 minStep 4: Shape into a round mound on a serving plate and press a deep well in the middle with a cup.
Step 5: Warm 2 tbsp ghee, 4 tbsp honey and 3 tbsp date syrup together, pour into the well and add 4 tbsp clotted cream or thick cream. Serve at once while warm.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 560 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 72 g
- Fat
- 27 g
- Fibre
- 8 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does areeka take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of ghee?
- Butter, same amount (keep the heat a little lower, butter burns sooner).
- What can I use instead of ghee?
- Butter, same amount (keep the heat a little lower, butter burns sooner).
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