Halewit il-Jibin (Sweet Cheese Rolls)

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This delicate dessert is very popular in the Middle East especially during Ramadan and Easter. If you live there, you can get it anytime at any pastry shop.

You will be surprised though at how easy it is to make at home with just a few ingredients. If you are willing to adventure, I assure you that you will be very happy with the outcome and you will be making it frequently since you will be craving the taste of these soft delectable sweet cheese rolls that will melt in your mouth and tickle your taste buds with their heavenly aromatic flavor. The rose petals jam will give this treat a final royal touch!

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Halewit il-Jibin (Sweet Cheese Rolls)

Yield: 2 Dozens

Author: Fida Milki

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (you can also use sweet cheese or Akawi)
• 1 cup semolina
• 1 tsp rose water
• 1 tsp orange blossom water
• Rose petals jam (optional)
• Chopped pistachios
• Ashta (optional)
• Ater (sugar syrup)

Instructions

1. Pour the water in a nonstick saucepan and add the sugar. Bring to a boil and add the cheese. Stir vigorously with a rubber spatula until the cheese is melted.
2. Add the semolina and continue to stir until you get a smooth dough.
3. Add the rose water and orange blossom water and stir some more until well combined.
4. Remove the dough from the pan and let cool but not fully.

Make the ater (sugar syrup):

1. Mix 2 cups of sugar with 1 cup of water in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil and add a few drops of lemon juice.
3. Let simmer for around 5 minutes then add 1 tsp of rose water and 1 tsp of orange blossom water. Remove from the heat.

Bring it together:

1. Transfer the dough once cooled to a surface drizzled with some drops of the syrup (this will keep it from sticking).
2. Place a plastic paper over the dough and roll it with a rolling pin into a thin rectangular shape.
3. Remove the plastic paper and cut the dough into 2 equal pieces with a sharp knife. Remove the uneven edges.
4. Fill each half length way with Ashta (recipe in the feed) then roll it into a thin log.
5. Repeat with the other half of the dough.
6. Cut each log into small pieces and transfer them to a serving platter.
7. Decorate each piece with rose petals jam if available, sprinkle with crushed pistachios, drizzle with syrup , serve and enjoy!

Notes

P.S you can also serve the Halewit il-jibin without stuffing it with Ashta. Either shredded or shaped into balls then drizzled with Ater.