Sultan's Kitchen

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Instead of vanilla extract (which is made with alcohol, therefore not halal), use the scrapings of the insides of a vanilla bean

I found immitation vanilla flavoring (not extract) in the grocery store (it was right beside the extract) and checked all the ingredients on a website to see if it had any alcohol (and were maybe calling it a different name) and everything checked out.

It tastes the same but I've found you have to use a little more than the recipe calls for to get the flavoring right.

While growing up, my mom always used the highest quality vanilla extract for cookies, so I'm kinda spoiled I've tried a lot of different brands of immitation stuff, and none of it stacks up, so I shell out the extra for the beans. What brand do you use?

[dawnnhatem 0]

I have wondered about this before...the alcohol content in things like extract. The chemist in me knows that by the end of the cooking or baking process, there is no alcohol in the fineshed product. Do any of you know why cooking with alcohol is a big deal if in the end you are not consuming or serving alcohol...and the use of it can't possibly contribute to any kind of intoxication or morals-compromising behavior?

Just wondering. I'm not arguing it.

[Veiled Princess 1]

What brand do you use?

Store brand Kinda on a budget being a "single mom" and all

[sarah and hicham 3]

Rahma I have also found that there is a difference in high quality vanilla extract and vanilla flavoring... it's just not the same. The vanilla beans are the best way to go for certain things but they are so expensive!

[Veiled Princess 1]

I have wondered about this before...the alcohol content in things like extract. The chemist in me knows that by the end of the cooking or baking process, there is no alcohol in the fineshed product. Do any of you know why cooking with alcohol is a big deal if in the end you are not consuming or serving alcohol...and the use of it can't possibly contribute to any kind of intoxication or morals-compromising behavior?

Just wondering. I'm not arguing it.

For me it's because I don't believe we're supposed to use it at all in the first place. I know there are some christians who have to abstain from alcohol during certain fasts and they have told me the same thing... it cooks out... but I just don't like to add it to begin with.

Kanafeh

2 Packages Shredded Phyllo Dough

Kanafeh Food Coloring

1 Stick of unsalted butter, melted

2 packages of Nabulsi sweet cheese, sliced into 1/4" thick slices

Raw pistachios

Large Pan

Sugar Syrup without any rose or orange water, just plain syrup(if you need the recipe let me know)

1. After the dough is thawed, mix in some of the melted butter and mix. You may not need all of it, we just need to coat the dough and get it separated. Mix in the Kanafeh coloring (its powder), use as much as you like until you get the shade of orange you like. I have never used regular food coloring for this so I don't know the results.

2. In the large pan, spread out about half the phyllo and pat it down. Make sure the bottom is fully covered.

3. Lay the slices of cheese side by side on top of the dough.

4. Cover the cheese with the remaining phyllo dough. Make sure all the cheese is covered well! Also make sure the corners are covered too. Pat it down for an even look.

5. Bake it until the cheese melts and the top is a bit crunchy. Pour the cooled syrup on top. Don't put too much, some people don't like it dripping. You can always add extra syrup to individual pieces as they are being served.

6 If you like you can garnish each piece with sound ground raw pistachios.

Enjoy!

Is this a dessert? I'm looking for it on the other board and I don't see it.... what section would it be under?

[ya falaha! 0]

Vanilla powder is halal. It's basically vanilla flavored sugar or powder. You can use that as a vanilla extract subsitute. I buy it at the Mid Eastern market in my area. I've also seen it at supermarkets that have an international foods section.

[doodlebug 3]

For Doodle:

Thanks! I made naan with chicken tikki masala this weekend and although the kids hated the chicken (too spicey for them) they loved the naan!

[~Jackie~ 30]

I'm making the kanafa Tuesday morning if anyone wants to come taste the results

Jackie

[sarah and hicham 3]

HELP!

How do you make the sauce for couscous that they have in Morocco (it's a red sauce).

[melly 0]

Hello all

Regarding the vanilla issue, I looked around alot online and found something called Pure Vanilla Powder. Not sure if it's the same thing Moody is talking about or not. The only ingredients are vanilla bean and maltodextrin. When you use it you use the same amount as you would for the liquid vanilla extract that contains alcohol. It is very expensive, but I find it easier than to mess with vanilla beans. I get mine from Whole Foods market for anyone who has one of those near them.

[jordanianprincess 0]

Hello all

Regarding the vanilla issue, I looked around alot online and found something called Pure Vanilla Powder. Not sure if it's the same thing Moody is talking about or not. The only ingredients are vanilla bean and maltodextrin. When you use it you use the same amount as you would for the liquid vanilla extract that contains alcohol. It is very expensive, but I find it easier than to mess with vanilla beans. I get mine from Whole Foods market for anyone who has one of those near them.

So even though the alcohol cooks out its not ok?

[melly 0]

Hello all

Regarding the vanilla issue, I looked around alot online and found something called Pure Vanilla Powder. Not sure if it's the same thing Moody is talking about or not. The only ingredients are vanilla bean and maltodextrin. When you use it you use the same amount as you would for the liquid vanilla extract that contains alcohol. It is very expensive, but I find it easier than to mess with vanilla beans. I get mine from Whole Foods market for anyone who has one of those near them.

So even though the alcohol cooks out its not ok?

As far as I know, it's not okay. Of course, there are some who use it anyways, figuring that since it won't affect you like drinking a beer or something, that it's okay.

I guess it's up to the individual to make a decision about whether they use it or not.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Hello all

Regarding the vanilla issue, I looked around alot online and found something called Pure Vanilla Powder. Not sure if it's the same thing Moody is talking about or not. The only ingredients are vanilla bean and maltodextrin. When you use it you use the same amount as you would for the liquid vanilla extract that contains alcohol. It is very expensive, but I find it easier than to mess with vanilla beans. I get mine from Whole Foods market for anyone who has one of those near them.

So even though the alcohol cooks out its not ok?

Oops, sorry Hicham. haha just kidding I haven't even baked anything with vanilla yet but I know he would only be upset if it was during Ramadan. No, I don't think he would even be upset about it then.

[dawnnhatem 0]

I'm making the kanafa Tuesday morning if anyone wants to come taste the results

Jackie

is it ready? I'll swing by on the way to work.

kidding of course, but I'm off at noon if you're serious

Have fun making it!!! I know you have been excited all week thinking about it so def have fun!

later

[jordanianprincess 0]

I'm making the kanafa Tuesday morning if anyone wants to come taste the results

Jackie

is it ready? I'll swing by on the way to work.

kidding of course, but I'm off at noon if you're serious

Have fun making it!!! I know you have been excited all week thinking about it so def have fun!

later

Ohhhhhh Jackieeeeeeeee...Miss. Countdown queen...Can we please have a Kanafeh countdown? I wanna know what time to show up on your doorstep