When I think back to my time on Umrah in Medinah, amidst the many memories made there, one of my fondest foodie memories is my first taste of this deeply delicious bread that was always served in the Masjid at iftar time on a Monday and Thursday. In Ramadan it is served every day at iftar.

It is offered with soft dates and laban, a thick plain yoghurt. Sweet and intense, it is flavoured with dates, date syrup and Kalonji seeds (Black/Nigella seeds). I so much wanted to make this when I came back from Umrah but struggled a bit to find a recipe. Until I came across one from The Culinary Concept on Instagram @TheCulinaryConcept. So good and served with Medjool dates and some double cream yoghurt it simply transported me back in time to evenings on the mataaf in Medinah.

Khobiz Mohala – Arabic Date Bread

Recipe: @TheCulinaryConcept
Photo: @Hungryforhalaal

Ingredients
5 cups flour
4 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp yeast( 2× 10 gr packets)
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp milk powder
1/2 cup oil
1 cup dates (pitted )
1 tsp kalonji seeds
3 Tbsp date syrup

Method
Put together dry ingredients in a bowl and leave it a side.
Take 2 cups boiling water add oil , date syrup & dates.
Let the dates soak until the liquid is warm.
Using your hands mash the dates finely.
Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and make a nice soft dough
Cover the dough and leave it to rise for 30 minutes.
Shape as you desire. I made knotted buns.
Brush with syrup, sprinkle thill and bake on 180°C for 20 minutes.
Makes 20

Syrup
2 Tbsp boiling water
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp bi-carb
Mix thoroughly