
Phoenician Honey Cookies (Biscuits)
A delicious vietnamese dish. Completely plant-based.
Total Time
109 min
Serves
2
Rating
0.0 (0)
Ingredients
- butter
- for greasing
- 1 3/4 cups (200 g / 7 oz) all-purpose (plain) flour
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons superfine (caster) sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ammonium bicarbonate or baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- equal quantities olive and corn oil
- for deep-frying
- finely chopped walnuts
- for sprinkling
- 1 1/4 cups (250 g / 9 oz) superfine (caster) sugar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) honey
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C/Gas Mark 6) and grease 2 cookie sheets (baking trays) with butter.
- 2
Sift together the flour and salt into a large bowl and make a well in the center.
- 3
Add the sugar, oil, lemon zest, and vanilla.
- 4
Stir the baking soda into 5 tablespoons water in a bowl and pour into the well.
- 5
Using a spoon, gradually incorporate the dry ingredients, then knead gently to a soft and pliable dough, adding a little more water if necessary.
- 6
Break off small pieces of dough and roll into cylinders the size of your thumb, then press lightly to flatten.
- 7
Put them onto the prepared baking sheet, spaced well apart, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- 8
Remove from the oven.
- 9
To make the syrup, put the sugar, honey, and 1 1/4 cups (300 ml / 1/2 pint) water into a pan and bring to a boil.
- 10
Boil for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat.
- 11
Pour a mixture of equal parts olive and corn oil into a heavy pan to a depth of 3 inches (7.5 cm) and heat it to 375°F (190°C), or until a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds.
- 12
Carefully drop batches of the cookies into the hot oil and fry for a few minutes, until golden brown.
- 13
Remove with a slotted spoon, drain well, and drop into the hot syrup.
- 14
Let absorb syrup for 3-4 minutes.
- 15
Remove with a slotted spoon, transfer to a serving platter, and sprinkle with finely chopped walnuts.