Awdinas (Fried Pastries with Syrup) recipe from Libya

[Dyfed]

Here is a classic sweet pastry recipes from Libya:

Awdinas

For the Pastries
2 egg whites
2 tbsp lemon juice
280g plain flour
200g butter, melted and cooled
water, to blend
oil for frying

For the Syrup:
500g granulated sugar
300ml water
2 tbsp toasted and ground sesame seeds
2 tbsp orange flower water
2 tsp ground cardamom

Beat the egg whites and lemon juice in a large bowl. Work in the
melted butter then scatter over the flour and mix to combine. Add just
enough cold water to give you a soft dough then cover with a cloth and
set aside for 2 hours to rest.

After this time, turn onto a floured work surface. Dust with flour
then roll out to 4mm thick. Cut into rounds with a pastry cutter.

Heat oil to a depth of 2cm in a large, flat, pan. Drop a few of the
awadinas into the hot oil and fry until cooked thorugh and golden
brown. Remove and set aside to drain on kitchen paper.

In a pan, combine the sugar, water, ground sesame seeds and cardamom.
Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Take off the heat and work in
the orange flower water. Dip the awdinas into this syrup (sharbat) and
serve.

For more Libyan recipes see:
http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/libya.php