If I say to you, 'Let's have afternoon tea', you may imagine a fancy round table topped with a high tea-style set next to a double-tiered tray of canapés and mini tarts... but this is not what I mean! In Qatar, where I was born, the concept of afternoon tea is about family gathering after a long day to communicate and relax – a rustic dallah (thermal pot) of qahwa (Arabic coffee) is served with a simple, freshly made Qatari dessert dish like aseeda (date pudding).
I was happy when my teta (grandmother) decided to take me with her one afternoon to visit her friend. It was the first time for me to join ladies' time and to consider myself – at that time, a ten-year-old girl – as an adult, wearing a nice abaya (traditional Qatari dress).
When we entered the majlis (guest lounge room) I was surprised at how many ladies were there. The eldest in the room, a grandmother, sat in the centre of the room like a queen; the others were her daughters, granddaughters and relatives. One of them was sitting next to a fire-pit crushing coffee bean with cardamom pods and saffron threads in a mortar and pestle made of copper, which she then added to the dallah with water and placed the dallah over the firepit. She waited until the qahwa started to boil, and then she added a pinch of saffron. The grandmother told her to keep dallah aside for some time to let the coffee set, and afterwards the woman served the coffee in small Arabic-style cups called finjan.
While everyone was chatting and enjoying the freshly made coffee, two or three ladies were serving the aseeda. I wasn't sure what it was, but I always love to try new things. The taste was unforgettable! It was smooth, sticky and aromatic, topped with whole pitted dates.
Teta and the grandmother of the room, who was Palestinian, agreed they have some similarities between the dishes of their countries. While I was enjoying finishing my teta's aseeda, I heard the old lady explaining to teta how they prepared it in her culture.
I wondered how a mix of dates, toasted wheat and some spices like cardamom and saffron could create such a smooth and cosy dish! And also, that cardamom and saffron were used in preparing Arabic coffee but created an entirely different taste.
This is one of my favourite memories to recall as I prepare afternoon tea for my family or friends.
Date pudding (Aseeda) Source: Huda Albardawil
Date pudding (Aseeda)
Serves 5
Aseeda is the traditional name of Qatari date pudding, which is a very basic sweet dish that can be eaten for breakfast, or in the afternoon with Arabic coffee and tea. This dish shows how Qatari people create sweet dishes from humble everyday ingredients. It's an easy, comforting dessert that will take you on a trip to the Arabian desert!
In 1½ cups boiling water for 10 minutes, soak:
- 1 cup pitted dates, set aside
Once soaked, transfer the dates and water to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the date mixture into a saucepan over medium heat.
Add:
- 1 cup whole wheat, toasted until golden brown
- 1 litre water
Mix well to combine, and then stir in:
- 1 tbsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- a tiny pinch of saffron
Allow it to cook for 10 minutes.
Then, add:
- 3 tbsp butter
Stir the mixture over low heat until thickened (15-20 mins). Pour it onto a plate, garnishing it with the whole dates. Enjoy this classic and simple dessert with qahwa (Arabic coffee).
Arabic coffee (Qatari qahwa)
TBC Source: Huda Albardawil
Qahwa is the traditional name of Arabic coffee, and represents the generosity and welcoming culture of the Qatari people. Whenever you enter a majlis (guest room) in Qatar, you will be greeted with a cup of Arabic qahwa and a smile. Usually, you have dates or a sweet Qatari dessert with coffee, so sugar is not added to it.
For this recipe, you will need:
- a thermal pot (dallah)
- small coffee cups (finjan)
First, prepare the qahwa mix by blending the following:
- 1 kg blonde-roasted coffee beans
- 250 g cardamom pods, crushed
- 50 g cloves, crushed
- 1 g saffron
Then, over medium heat, place a saucepan filled with:
- 1 litre water
Add to the water:
- 3 tbsp qahwa mix
- 1 tbsp ground cardamom
Boil the mixture for 15 minutes.
Add to the dallah:
- a pinch of saffron
Strain the coffee brew straight into the dallah, close the lid and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Now you can enjoy the taste of Arabic coffee with friends and family, served with dessert or dates.
