Khashkhāshiyya (Poppy-Seed Sweet Meat)

Ingredients

• lean red meat
• fresh tail fat
• dirham salt
• dirham dried coriander
• cinnamon stick
• ginger
• raṭl hot water
• dirhams sugar and honey
• poppy-seed semolina (samīdh khashkhāshī)
• dirhams fresh poppy seed (khashkhāsh)
• saffron
• rosewater

Instructions

1. Render fresh tail fat, sweat small-sliced lean meat, sprinkle with half a dirham each of salt and coriander; cover with warm water, boil and skim.
2. Add pared cinnamon stick and a little ginger, then thin with 1.5 raṭl hot water and 150 dirhams of sugar and honey.
3. When the sugar dissolves, scatter a handful of poppy-seed semolina and stir until set.
4. Add 30 dirhams fresh poppy seed (or dried poppy pounded after boiling) and stir until blended.
5. Color with saffron, sprinkle rosewater, settle over a gentle fire and take up.