Last year I was here in Canada during Eid, but I had just arrived and in an airbnb and so stressed about my new job yet to start. So wasn't in the mood for trying out any recipes.
This time i figured I will make Eid Kaak. Which is like cookies filled with dates dough/paste. Or at least that's how my mother used to make it, different people have different fillings. I am not even sure how exactly she would make it, I used to help out at the later phase, but wouldn't be involved in the ingredients part.
I found (a long while back) the kaak spices in one shop and bought them thinking i will use them at some point. There is a mix of spices that is added and while I wasn't involved in the ingredients, smelling it, I KNOW she used to add that and I am sure I saw it around.
Of course I am making it with vegan ingredients. A lot of people in the Middle East use ghee specially Egyptian, they OVER USE it. I stopped using ghee long before i became vegan. When I started cooking for myself, I'd just use vegetable oil as it is much healthier than ghee. Growing up, ghee was all my mother used, since it is key in Egyptian food.
I was thinking I will use vegetable oil in this recipe only now I realised there is actually plant based ghee. And it is not even a new thing, when I looked it up it looked familiar, I used to see it in the supermarket. Not only that, my memory came back to me that my mother used to ask me to not buy this one and I didn’t even bother find out the difference, I'd just buy the regular one (animal based) like she asked.
I am surprised I didn't know this existed! It would be nice to try some Egyptian food with this ghee, although I wouldn't wanna use it much... it is a lot less healthy than other oils.
So i am going now to look for this one in shops near by, if I don't find it, I will order it only.
I already made the dates paste using vegan butter and some dates I had at home. Turned out looking good and smooth.
Will post more pics if it turns out well or actually end up making it. Still need to find some ingredients.
