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BUrger Bun
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Khubz Mahala

This was the first in a series of recipes for Banned Buns developed when Donald Trump banned certain people, even American people, from entering the USA. Not being American or even in the US on holiday, there was nothing I could do except protest in print and send thoughts and sympathy to people who have become aliens in their own land.
That included the millions of Americans who were disbelieving and angry in turns, going through the first stages of grief, as this new President and his cronies behaved, and seemed to get away with behaving, like dictators rather than elected representatives of the people in a functioning democracy with a strong legal system.
Here is a recipe for Khubz Mahala, a gorgeous type of bun from Iran.  It's easy to make and maybe it will make someone happy.
Khubz Mahala is one of many kinds of beautiful bread from Iran.
I thought of it as I read story after story of people denied entry to the USA to visit friends and family or rejoin lives that they had established, peacefully and legally, sometimes years ago, to share the American dream of a better life.
Maybe you know someone from Iran? If so, make this for them and they will be thrilled.
Baking time15 minutes
Servings:0
Author:Jane Mason

Equipment

  • bowls, scale, scraper, baking tray with non stick parchment

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 100 g Pitted dates
  • 350 g White wheat flour
  • 2 g Instant yeast Or 4g dry or 8g fresh
  • 100 g Water, plus water to cover the dates (see below)
  • 8 g Salt
  • 2 tsp Rose or orange blossom water

For the Glaze

  • 1 Egg, beaten with 1 tsp water
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of sesame seeds to decorate

Instructions

  • Put the dates in a small saucepan and just cover them with water.  Simmer them for 30 minutes and then let them cool completely.
  • While the dates are cooking and cooling, measure the flour into a bowl and make a well in it.  Measure in the yeast and pour over the 100 ml of water. Flick some flour over the water to close the well and let it sit until the dates are completely cool.
  • Add the dates and the rest of the dough ingredients and knead well for 10 minutes by hand or machine.
  • Cover the bowl.  Let it rest for 1 hour.
  • Scrape out the dough onto a non floury surface and divide it into 10 equal pieces.  Shape them into buns and put them on a baking tray that is covered in non stick baking parchment.  Cover them with a tea towel and let them rest for 45 minutes.
  • Pre heat the oven to 220 degrees C.
  • Brush the buns with the glaze and sprinkle them with sesame seeds.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes.  When they are done they will sound hollow if you tap their bottoms.
  • Let them cool on a wire rack and the devour with a cup of tea or coffee.

Notes

Take them to your neighbours/friends/office colleagues who are suffering.  A taste of home may make them feel better.  You can also take them to the airport to feed protesters.