Truly Love Egypt Tanta April 2015

Issue 11

PLEASE TURN ON YOUR SOUND

St. Mina’s Monastery

ElBadawy Mosque

Extra: Easter & Sham ElNiseem

Recipe: Mishabik

Contents4 FEATURED STAFF Amani Sarkiss 6 EDITOR’S MESSAGE Tanaso; the rich fertile land

that baffled rulers! 8 EXTRA: EASTER AND

SHAM ELNISEEM Two very different celebrations

with many similarities! 10 TRULY LOVE NATURE Man and nature in harmony;

horse riding ring, St. Mina’s Monastery and Al Andalos Park

14 TRULY LOVE DAY ACTIVITIES Where Christianity, Islam and

royalty meet! 18 SCRAPBOOK PAGE 14 Sabeel ElAhmady

10 Al Andalos Park

The song that is playing is Salam Ya Balady by Mahmoud El Eseily

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Contents 20 TRULY LOVE HISTORY ElBadawy Mosque and

Saint Mary’s Church

26 TRULY LOVE SHOPPING Egyptian cotton, sweets to

die for and plenty of other local products!

30 TRULY LOVE NIGHTLIFE Go local or indulge in your

own! 34 TRULY LOVE INVESTING Small and medium

investments that yield high profits!

36 TRULY LOVE CUISINES

Mishabik: the history and the method

38 UPCOMING ISSUE

20 ElBadawy Mosque

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26 Sweets to die for!

Amani Sarkiss is a holder of a BA in English and Comparative Literature from the American University in Cairo and the Cambridge RSA Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults. She spent the first twelve years of her career teaching English as a foreign language, nine of which were at the British Council in Cairo. This was followed by nine years in publishing as an Educational Consultant for Oxford University Press and an Editorial Consultant and a Teacher Trainer in the Middle East and North Africa for Cambridge University Press. In 2010, she decided to leave the corporate world. This, she found, gave her the freedom to pursue the passions she didn't use to have much time for; reading and writing. It also gave her more time to spend with her son. In 2014, she decided to re-join the corporate world as an entrepreneur. She started her company, Sarkiss for Publicity and Advertising, whose sole purpose is to publish free online magazines with a difference; deliver credible, comprehensive information that is truly beneficial to different

Amani Sarkiss

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readers and written by talented individuals who sincerely want to make a difference. Sarkiss is proud of each and e ve ry ind iv idua l who is contributing to her company’s first online magazine, Truly Love Egypt ezine. Sarkiss believes that everything is possible once the person has made the decision to truly live and enjoy life! She loves nature, especially the sea and all living creatures. At a very early age, she travelled around Egypt and to different parts of the world with her family. Since the age of 20, she started traveling the world on her own and has not stopped since.

Amani Sarkiss

Please note that very soon, all our ezines will be placed exclusively on our website www.sarkiss.net

EDITOR’S MESSAGE Our mission is to deliver the most accurate, up-to-date information in

order to show different kinds of visitors what may interest them.

Delta, thereby affecting the “borders” of Tanta. Having been part of Gharbeya Governorate for many centuries, Tanta suddenly became part of Menoufeya Governorate during the French occupation of Egypt in 1789. In the 19th century, under the rule of Mohamed Ali, Tanta became part of Gharbeya Governorate again. Since 1836, when Abbas Touson Pasha became the first governor of Gharbeya, Tanta has thrived immensely. The building of the first ever railway in Egypt in 1854 added to the town’s importance. Like Cairo, Tanta used to have city gates that closed at night to protect it. Today, Tanta is the third most populated city in Egypt and is also the third largest city in the Nile Delta in terms of surface area. And while some historical sites are in plain view in Tanta, the wealth of history the city has experienced suggests that many still remain unearthed. To get there: 1 hour either from Alexandria or Cairo by air-conditioned train. Dec. to March: average temperature 14C. June to August: average temperature 25C.

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Ideas and content are copyright and property of Sarkiss Publicity and Advertising Registered in Egypt: 64958 truly-love-egypt@sarkiss.net

Manager, Editor and Designer Amani Adel Sarkiss Freelance Writers Aisha Abdelwahab Basma Amer Enas Elmohands Omar Ibrahim Amal Sarkiss Photography: Hatem Askar: p30 to p33 Awara Sweets factory: p36 left Amal Sarkiss: p36 right Ahmed Yaqub: p38 Amani Sarkiss: p2 to p5, p10, p12 to p24, p26 to 29, p34 Yahoo images: other pics

Manager, Editor and Designer Amani Adel Sarkiss

Located in the Nile Delta, Tanta enjoys a rich, fertile soil and is one of the major regions for cultivating Egyptian cotton. Throughout history, this seems to be the only constant fact about Tanta. Others, such as its name and importance, have changed numerous times. Ancient Egyptians named it “Tanaso”. In the 4th century BC, the Greeks renamed it “Tanitad”. Under Roman rule, it was “Tanthna”. In the Byzantine era, it was “Tow”. Under Islamic rule, which started in 641 AD, it was “Tantada”. During the reign of Sultan Al Ashraf in 1375 AD, it was “Tant”, which later became “Tanta”. Tanta’s importance was undeniable from the time of the ancient Egyptians to the beginning of the Moslem rule -when its importance was diminished and it was transformed from being a town to a village. But in the 10th century AD, the Fatimid Dynasty decided to make Tanta their base and, by the 15th century, the living conditions in Tanta had improved to a great extent. However, living conditions became harsh again under Ottoman rule. This was followed by a period when it seems different rulers were undecided about how to map out the

EASTER AND SHAM EL NISEEM By Amani Sarkiss

Easter is a festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus three days after his crucifixion by the Romans in 30 AD as described in the New Testament. Easter customs vary across the Christian world and include sunrise services and decorating Easter eggs. Additional customs, which are observed by both Christians and some non-Christians, include egg hunting, the Easter Bunny and Easter parades. Sham ElNiseem is an Egyptian national holiday, marking the beginning of spring. It falls on the Monday after Eastern Easter, following the Coptic Orthodox Church. The name of the holiday is derived from the ancient Egyptian name for the harvest

season, “Shemu”, which means “a day of creation”. After the Christianization of Egypt, the festival became associated with Easter. Even after the Islamic conquest of Egypt, the date remained the same as the Islamic calendar is lunar and thus unfixed relative to the solar year. When Arabic became Egypt’s official language, “Shemu” morphed into Sham ElNessim which means "Smelling the Zephyrs". The holiday is celebrated by all Egyptians regardless of religion. People picnic at public gardens, parks and on the Nile. Traditional food consists mainly of “feseekh” (a salted grey mullet), lettuce, green onions, lupini beans and colored boiled eggs.

TRULY LOVE NATURE By Basma Amer

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Ingenious structures and buildings permeate

through the streets of Tanta. Their designs are

beautiful, and history hypnotic. However,

hidden 4 kilometers outside of Tanta, en route

to Alexandria, lies another breathtaking scene.

Away from the city’s commotion is a palm tree

sanctuary. Nestled amidst the trees is a horse

riding ring, isolated from the road. It is a

brilliant place during the day and especially so

during dusk. You have the choice of bringing

your own food and making a picnic out of the

day or enjoying any of the cuisines served by

the local café.The café serves Italian,

American, French and Egyptian cuisines,

making it a flavorful experience.

Further from the city, amidst the fields of

greenery, lies another divine sanctuary. In the

village of Ebiar is St. Mina’s Monastery. The

monastery is the birthplace of Saint Mina, a

martyr who lived during the Roman

persecution in Egypt. St. Mina’s Monastery has

a unique way of weaving biblical history within

its lavish garden-scape. You will find a series

of stepping-stones leading you through

splendid plant-life. You will roam between

flowers of fuchsia and red, delicately

embedded between the shrubs. A bridge crosses

over a lagoon, making it the perfect place to

Cont.

capture another memorable moment. Take a

few minutes to dazzle in the waterfall’s gentle

streams flowing into the sea green lagoon,

and gaze at the Virgin Mary at the top of the

cliff. Next to the lagoon are a miniature

Roman arena and several sculptures depicting

biblical stories, such as the flight to Egypt.

The monastery is a collage of spiritual

journeys fused with nature.

Another nature filled place is Al Andalos

Park. The park, more commonly known as Al

Montazah, is actually a zoo built during the

era of King Farouk. The park is located in the

middle of Tanta, on Al Bahr Street, and is

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home to a variety of species. There you can

find ostriches, an Emu, several types of

mountain goats, pigeons, a black and white

porcupine, a horse, a pony, a camel, a deer

and different kinds of birds. The park also has

a path and along it are a variety of trees

creating a cool shelter from the sun and

benches to relax and sit on. The zoo is not in

the best condition; however, there are efforts

to improve it.

At first glance, Tanta may seem like an

industrialized city; however, a visit to these

nature filled sites is a wonderful experience

waiting to be had.

By Basma Amer

Like many cities in Egypt, Tanta’s rich, diverse

history remains so beautifully and eloquently

embroidered through the architecture of the city.

Sabeels and ElSayed ElBadawy Mosque

Add a new experience to your collection of

photos by visiting Tanta’s two “sabeels”;

drinking fountains. The first, Sabeel Ali Bek

Elkabeer, is located inside Algalaa Garden on

TRULY LOVE DAY ACTIVITIES

Sabeel Ali Bek Elkabeer

Algalaa Street. It is a large round drinking

fountain with simple arch engravings. The

second sabeel, Sabeel ElAhmady, is rich in

delicate, intricate carvings.

Opposite Sabeel ElAhmady and near the railway

station is the ElSayed Ahmed ElBadawy

Mosque. This masterpiece was built in Mamluk

style architecture and is in classic camel color.

Its walls replicate a clear starry night, while its

windows allow the rays of the sun to shine in

and onto the wooden pews.

Another beautiful church to visit is St. George’s

Roman Orthodox Church. It is located in central

Tanta, on Mudurayya Street, and is another

example of beauty at its finest.

Sheikha Sabah Mosque

Unlike many mosques, this one is named after a

female “saint”. It can be found on ElBahr Street

and is a continuation of charming sites in Tanta.

The exterior color scheme of the Sheikha Sabah

Mosque is similar to that of ElBadawy Mosque,

except for its additional green dome. Inside the

mosque, an intricate design in a striking 15

Inside, painted on the ceiling, is a collage of

vibrant blues, golds, greens and crimson.

The mosque gains a festive appeal during the

annual celebration of the birthday, or “Mulid”,

of ElSayed Ahmed ElBadawy and the streets are

closed off to allow two million visitors to enjoy

an eight-day festivity, where vendors sell

traditional sweets. It is both a cultural and a

delectable event.

St. Mary’s Church and St. George’s Roman

Orthodox Church

Located in the village of Ebiar is St. Mary’s

Church. The church gives you a feel of

Christianity from an Eastern perspective. The

church’s true elegance; however, lies within it. Cont.

St. George’s Roman Orthodox Church

Sheikha Sabah Mosque

King Farouk Bridge

evergreen and golden-yellow is painted on the

ceiling.

King Farouk Bridge and palaces

Head over to the southern entrance of the city

and relish in the detailed architecture of King

Farouk Bridge or take a walk down Maddaris

Street, ElFatih Street and ElBahr Street to get a

glimpse of true architectural royalty in the form

of palaces with intricate façades.

Tips:

Tanta Museum:

Located on Moheb Street is the Tanta Museum,

but is currently closed.

Religious Monuments: There is no entrance fee 17

for mosques or churches.

You must take off your shoes to enter mosques.

Women also have to cover their hair. You may

be asked for a donation; however, you are in no

way obligated.

The Mulid of ElSayed Ahmed ElBadawy: It

takes place 2 months before ElMulid ElNabawy

(birthday of Prophet Mohamed) according to the

lunar calendar.

St. Mary’s Church:

To reach St. Mary’s Church, take a microbus

from Tanta Railway Station to Ebiar Village

then take a tuk-tuk (three-wheel motor vehicle)

to the monastery. Total cost $1.

Palace on Maddaris Street

SCRAPBOOK PAGE

Mohamed Bek Asaad palace on ElBahr St.

By Aisha AbdelWahab TRULY LOVE HISTORY

21 Cont.

Sufi order, grandson of Prophet Mohamed and descendant of Alaouite family. He was born in Fez, Morocco in 1200 AD approx during the reign of ElNasser Mohamed. He lived a period of his life in Egypt. He then moved to Mecca with his father until 1240 AD approx and returned to Egypt ten years after his father's death. He died in Tanta in 1277 AD approx. The Mamluk style mosque was founded in ElSayed ElBadawy’s honor and holds his tomb, which is visited daily by people who request the “assistance” of ElBadawy and

When different cultures meet to create a city, the result is sure to be an explosion of beauty and diversity with interesting attractions and plenty of mystery. When glorious Pharaohs, the ever gracious Greeks and the elegant Fatimids chose a city as their revered territory, it is bound to be overwhelmingly amazing. The mosque of ElSayed Ahmed ElBadawy is one of the stars of the month as it is one of the most important monuments and a major landmark of Tanta. It is the mosque of Sheikh ElSayed ElBadawy, founder of ElBadawy

believe their requests will be met. It was built by Abdel Aal who was ElSayed ElBadawy's vicar and a Sufi himself who traveled from Morocco to Egypt in the Mamluk era. The mosque has been enlarged and restored by many throughout its history, starting with Sultan ElNasser Ben Qalawoon and Seif ElDin Qaitbey to Mohamed Ali and even King Fouad. Other rulers, such as Khedive Ismail, Khedive Abbas Helmi II and some presidents after the 1952 revolution, took it upon themselves to take care of the restorations and the renewal of this historical

monument. The mosque is spectacular. Its façade, made of marble, showcases the breathtaking Islamic architecture. Gold and crystal chandeliers hang elegantly from the ceilings, mixing traditional Islamic architecture with an elegant and almost royal vibe. The tile work is impressive to say the least and the stained glass decorating this monument are out of this world; an almost magical world fills the entire place as sunrays penetrate the stained glass of different mesmerizing colors. The gorgeous entrance and the two beautiful

Cont. 23

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minarets were erected in the early 1960's. As for the three majestic domes, they were erected to honor the hermit and his two successors; Megahed and Abdel Aal. The appearance of the mosque is taken to a whole other level during the hermit's Mulid; it is nothing short of breathtakingly spectacular. The second star of the month is St. Mary’s Church in Ebiar. Ebiar is a village near Tanta in which approximately 30 Christian families reside, making up approximately 10% of the village’s population. They usually live exclusively around the church which is a normal setting in Egyptian villages. In

general, Muslims and Christians maintain good relations, except for the occasional confrontations that do not last more than a few days before everything goes back to normal. The monastery is over 200 years old and is presided over by Father Boula, who was appointed in 1981. He is known for being a kind man who has been celebrated for years for assisting the poor and for this reason (and many others) is loved by most- if not all. As for the icon of the Virgin Mary, it is believed to be a source of healing. The monastery is, as expected, stunning

inside and out. There are plenty of lush green trees surrounding the beautiful and very simple structure that is somewhere between a beautiful beige and a magnificent off-white. Once you p inside, you will witness an explosion of colors, as churches are well-known for giving a religious and spiritual joyful vibe when sunrays meet their breathtaking colored glass windows. Icons, hung on the church walls, give an authentic beauty to the whole experience. Personally, this church is one of my favorites because it is simple and quite petite, yet has this amazing positive energy flooding the whole place.

The spiritual tour of this month has been truly inspirational and has been quite a pleasure to write about. An experience such as this, where you embrace the beauty of both churches and mosques should not be missed. Quote of the month: “A beautiful life begins with a beautiful mind” -unknown Fact of the month: Around two million visitors, from different parts of Egypt as well as other countries, swarm the mosque and its surroundings during the festivities held every year to honor ElSayed Ahmed ElBadawy's birthday.

TRULY LOVE SHOPPING By Aisha AbdelWahab

Cont.

Other places might seem larger, brighter and visually more attractive. But they will not have the same soul that Tanta has so gracefully carried throughout the years, nor will they give you the experiences that you will have walking the streets of Tanta! Being one of the largest cities in Egypt, Tanta has plenty of shops. Designer shops flood the place just as the local ones do. It is commonplace to find a local shop selling cotton and silk threads or even colorful, traditional handmade galabeyas right beside a super known designer store. However, most designer shops can be found on three streets: Saeed Street, Moheb Street and Hassan Ibn Thabet Street. Some of the local crafts that you will enjoy are wickerwork, such as colorful baskets, and

crocheted work which is very popular in Tanta; caps, vests, pullovers and anything really! Some crochet items can be found on Hassan Ibn Thabet Street and ElBorsa Street but most are made to order. Tanta is known for many things, among them is that it is the cotton center of Egypt. Cotton threads of various kinds and color can be found on Taha ElHakeem Street. Cotton made clothes are obviously very popular as well; galabeyyas, pants, shirts, undergarments and whatever else you have in mind. If you are one with a sweet tooth, you will love Tanta. The sweets in Tanta are to die for! Mishabik, halawa shaar, candied coconut, malban (Turkish Delight) and halawet elmulid -a variety of sweets made using different nuts and seeds and sold throughout the year and

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more so during ElMulid ElNabawy and Mulid ElSayed ElBadawy- are some of the delectable sweets you will find here. Most sweets factories have shops on the main road between the railway station and ElSayed ElBadawy Mosque. The quality varies from one vendor to another so buy a small quantity to try before buying a big lot. Don’t worry about the calories; you have already burned them all whilst walking. In addition to the locally made products, you will find your day-to-day requirements. A specific, prescribed medication may not be part of their pharmaceutical stock, but your basic needs are definitely present, in good quality as well as quantity. You will most

definitely stumble upon many pharmacies, supermarkets and kiosks. You won’t die of thirst or hunger in the middle of your shopping spree! Restaurants and coffee shops are splattered here and there, and a bit everywhere. The diversity of the dishes they serve is a dream come true. Food is a must and a good cup of coffee, hot chocolate, iced tea or whatever you are into with the exception of alcohol! However, whilst restaurants are dry and bars nonexistent, there are liquor shops where you can buy your own. Quote of the month: “Go to the places and the people that set a spark in your soul!” - Unknown

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TRULY LOVE NIGHTLIFE By Enas Elmohands

Egyptian food- you’ve been wondering about this pigeon your Egyptian friend at home has been telling you of, but you can also opt out for Koshary! In Tanta, there is a restaurant or cafe for everyone- those who want the “balady” cafes for their inexpensive shisha and well-made tea and those who want something more classical and refined for a nice dinner with friends, family or significant others. If you’re the traveler who looks for a bit of home wherever the winds blow you or perhaps you’re the traveler with three kids rolling behind you, you’ll find yourself lounging on Sidki Street or Mahala Road where you can check that luggage in a play

What treasure can we find in this jewel of a city? After a spectacular day of historical artifacts and ancient echoes of prophets at the various mosques, churches and drinking fountains, Tanta releases its breath at night. If you’re a traveler looking for the full experience of Egypt, then you must go to one of the “balady” cafes around ElBadawy Mosque. Order yourself a glass of karkadee (hibiscus tea) or a traditional Turkish coffee. Be prepared to feel the energy course through you and take in the emotion that soaks such a significant monument in the religion of Islam. Feeling hungry for local food? On ElNady Street and ElFatih Street, you can eat

31 Cont.

own alcohol for there are no bars or clubs in the city of Tanta. However there are the standard liquor shops that you would find scattered around Egypt; so you can get yourself a bottle of wine and create your own romantic mood. Nightlife in Tanta is a refreshing experience, a thoughtful one, a taste of city life without the hustle and bustle of Cairo. Plus, remember that phenomenon we used to know so well, what was it called…grass?! Tanta is a true cocktail of farm and city life, with its center being similar to Cairo with its apartment complexes, youth and families while its outskirts are encircled by large plots of farm land. Oxygenate yourself with the plethora of greenery you will find in all of Tanta!

area. You’ll be lazily smoking a watermelon mint shisha while you feast on Italian or American food. There you may indulge- hey, you’re on vacation after all- in a pie or two; whether you prefer outdoor or indoor seating, wherever you end up, will be a great cap to the evening. Or perhaps you’re tired but can still be up for something more active? Then you can ask yourself, hmmm…when was the last time I went bowling? On the road between Tanta and Kafr ElSheikh, you’ll find different cafes and a substantial bowling arena. Prepare to put on your bowling shoes and challenge your partner to a round; and, of course, the loser buys the winner shisha at the cafe of his or her pick. Make sure if you’re a drinker to bring your

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TRULY LOVE INVESTING By Omar Ibrahim

This section is dedicated to small and medium sized investors looking for possibilities to invest their money from afar or move to a country where sunshine, sea and relaxation are a way of life.

Being approximately halfway between the two largest cities in Egypt, Cairo and Alexandria, and the center of the densely populated area of the Nile Delta, Tanta is a city with extremely high potential since it can attract both inhabitants of numerous nearby towns as well as tourists from Cairo and Alexandria. Tanta is house to one of Egypt’s biggest universities, Tanta University. Keeping in mind that Egyptian youth are 24.3% of the total population, numerous young people flock to the Tanta University campus every day. Most youth in Egypt these days are extremely active in the fields of social and cultural activities. The number of enterprises that offer co-working spaces with libraries and bookshops are on the rise in Egypt’s major cities to meet the sharply growing demands; however, other cities such as Tanta are short on such entities. The shrine of Sheikh Sayed ElBadawy, a prominent Muslim Sufi and the founder of the Badawiyyah Sufi order, is a major attraction for domestic tourism in Egypt both during weekends and at the annual “mulid”, which attracts some 2 million visitors from across Egypt every year. The economy in Tanta largely benefits from religious tourism by offering various services around the shrine. Beside the already prevalent oriental pastries, visitors would find it soothing to have a good rest and a cup of tea in a cozy coffee shop -not to mention the undoubted profitability of restaurants in such crowded areas, especially the ones which can provide the passerby with a quick meal on the go. Some balady cafes are present but a quick scan of the area will confirm the need for a better variety. As you would expect from a city that lies in the heart of the most fertile land in Egypt, the Nile Delta, Tanta’s agricultural sector is a major contributor to its economy. Small factories for different common food

industries would be an excellent option, especially since transporting both resources and produce has never been easier, thanks to Tanta’s favorable location and the extensive road network that surrounds and traverses it. World famous garment brands have found their way into Tanta; however, what is very rare to encounter there is a capacious shopping center with all the commonly associated services like famous coffee shops, car showrooms, food courts, kids’ areas, cinemas, etc; a place where both business and social life can flourish. Recreational and sports facilities which meet global quality standards will certainly find a wide range of interested young people in Tanta. The fact is, although tennis and soccer fields -for example - are available, they don’t fulfill the minimum requirements of the games’ laws and don’t provide coaching and medical services, to name a few. Tanta’s economy is longing to grow in its variable sectors. A writer from the prominent “New Tanta” weblog expresses Tanta’s need for encouraging small and medium sized businesses, and with its relatively high unemployment rate (15.2%), funding or starting those businesses would be the spark to the city’s exponential economic growth, with guaranteed return on investment.

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Regulations and Safety Issues

1. Do not drink tap water.

2. People in Tanta are quite conservative so it is best to avoid sleeveless tops and shorts.

3. Be prepared to take off your shoes to enter mosques. Woman should also cover their hair to enter mosques.

4. If you arrive by train and need to use the toilet and have a quick coffee before walking around, there are hotels near the railway station with clean toilets and good coffee.

TRULY LOVE CUISINES By Amal Sarkiss

Mishabik

Tanta is famous for its special sweet, mishabik; an economical sweet that is enjoyed by both children and adults. It is common practice in Egypt for a family member visiting Tanta to return home carrying a box or two. The making of mishabik didn’t originate in Tanta but in Domyat, a city more than 100km away from Tanta. Apparently, many mishabik makers from Domyat made a business move to Tanta to sell their special sweet, in large quantities, at the annual celebration of the birth of ElSayed ElBadawy, which is the biggest gathering of people from different Egyptian cities as well as other countries. The celebration falls in the Islamic calendar 2 lunar months before the birth of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Nevertheless, this delectable sweet is sold in Tanta throughout the year. Some factories specialize in mishabik making. Industrially, the batter is kept to set, or ferment, overnight and instead of piping the dough, a special mold is used to make perfect identical discs. Each is then individually wrapped in cellophane paper. Even though the ingredients used are minimal, I found various recipes with different additions by different chefs. I tried several but preferred to stick to the simplest, which gave me the closest taste. Similar to the Egyptian mishabik is the Indian sweet “jalebi”. Jalebi yogurt replaces the water, ghee is usually added to the mix and the batter is left for a few hours to a day to ferment before it is fried. Saffron, turmeric or orange food colorants give jalebi its characteristic color. Note: Truly Love Egypt would like to thank Awara Sweets for the recipe tips and the photo on the left.

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Preparation time Cooking Time Serves

10 min (not including resting time for the batter and cooling time for the sugar syrup)

Approx 15 min 6 - 8

Ingredients:

For the sugar syrup: 2 cups sugar 1 cup water 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp rose water

For the batter: 1 cup flour 1 cup corn starch 1 tsp baking soda 1 to 1½ cup water Pinch of salt ¾ cup oil for frying

Preparation: Prepare the sugar syrup by first dissolving the sugar in water on medium heat. Then add the lemon juice and let it simmer until the syrup is thick like honey. Remove from heat and add the rose water. Let cool. For the batter, mix the dry ingredients. Then add water gradually to make a thick batter. The consistency is very important. It should be soft enough to be piped from a plastic bag but thick enough to keep the shape of the coils of mishabik as it is fried. Let batter set for ½ hour. Directions: In hot oil, pipe the batter into the desired shapes. A plastic bag with a small ½ cm cut at the corner or a cake decoration bag with #10 tip may be used for piping. Fry on both sides, remove from oil when light gold in color. While still hot, put it in the cold syrup for 1 minute, drain the extra syrup on a cookie rack and let cool. It may be served hot or cold. Variations: - 1 tsp of active yeast can be used instead of the baking soda (dissolve with 1tsp sugar) - A pinch of ground cardamom may be added for a special flavor. - A pinch of ground saffron may be added for color. Tips: - Use metal cookie cutters or egg fryers as frames for your mishabik when deep frying. - A watery syrup or a hot one will cause the mishabik to go soggy. Thick and cold syrup = crispy mishabik. - To make mishabik extra crispy, fry it twice. First, fry it for a short time in very hot oil. Then drain it of the oil and let it cool for a few minutes. Then fry it again, now on medium heat till light gold in color. Then dip it in the syrup.

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