Harsha: Semolina Morrocan Bread

1 lb. Fine Semolina Flour
2 Tbsp Flour, sifted
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
1 Tbsp Yeast
1 tsp Anise Seeds
1 tsp Sesame Seeds
A pinch of Salt
1 Tbsp Olive Oil or Canola Oil (you may use butter)
1 ¼ cup Water (you may use milk)

In a large bowl, mix together the semolina flour, flour, sugar, baking powder, yeast, anise seeds, sesame seeds and salt. Add the oil and mix with the tip of your fingers until you obtain a sandy texture. Make a well in the center and add the water. Knead the mixture to form a soft dough (it will be slightly sticky). Section the dough and roll into small balls using the semolina to shape them, you should have about six. Roll some more into semolina and place onto a baking sheet that has been sprinkled with semolina. Let rest for 10 minutes.

Flatten the balls to create small disks and sprinkle with more semolina. Let rest for one hour.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the breads for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Serve as a side dish for a Tagine, simply with butter and honey, or with your favorite cheese.


Makes 6 small loaves

Gluten-Free Pie Crust

Adapted from Glutenfreegirl.com

Makes 1 pie crust

1 cup White Rice Flour                   

½ cup Sorghum Flour                  
½ cup Potato Starch                   
3 Tbsp Sweet Rice Flour                   
3 tsp Sugar                                         
¼ tsp Salt
1 tsp Cinnamon
8 Tbsp Cold Butter
1 large Egg
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
¼ cup Ice-Cold Water


Mix together all dry ingredients. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch thick pieces and meld it into the dry ingredients with a fork until the mixture crumbles into pea-sized pieces. Make a well in the center and drop the egg and apple cider vinegar in, then stir them in gently with a fork, from the center out. Once they are incorporated, slowly drizzle the ice-cold water into the mixture, a little at a time. You do not want the dough to be too wet. Add water only if dough seems too dry.


Sandwich the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and spread the dough outward, equally in all directions, until it is a thick, round cake of dough, about the size of a pie plate. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally, overnight. Take the dough out of the refrigerator at least 20 minutes before you want to work with it.

Leave the dough in the parchment paper “sandwich” and roll it out as thinly as you can, then remove the top sheet of parchment. Lay pie plate on top of the dough, then flip the whole thing over. The dough should sag into the pie plate. You may crimp the edges at this point. If some of the dough falls off the sides, simply re-attach the pieces to the crust by pressing in with your fingers.

If your recipe calls for a pre-baked crust, place it in a 350-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Otherwise, fill and bake according to your pie recipe.

Bretzels: Soft Pretzels

By Sylvie Ryan, our Culinary Educator

These soft pretzels are my favorite snacks! They remind me so much of my childhood and were always such a special treat. This dough is perfect for about 12 large to medium size pretzels, but as you get better at rolling them they can make as many as 20. You may also shape them into small hoagies, just bake them for an additional 5 minutes. These hoagies make great little sandwiches for party appetizers. They also are a great new and unique way to serve hot dogs. Give it a try, I guarantee you will love them!


Makes 12

4 Tbsp Active Dry Yeast

1 tsp Sugar

1 ¼ warm Water (110 degrees)

5 cups Flour

½ cup Sugar

1 ½ tsp Salt

2 Tbsp Butter

½ cup Baking Soda

4 cups Hot Water

1 Egg beaten, mixed with a splash of water for brushing

¼ Kosher Salt, for topping


In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10-15 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the butter and yeast mixture. Mix and form a dough. If the mixture is too dry add water, a tablespoon at a time.. Knead the dough until smooth, it will take about 5-8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat the dough with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.

When risen turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal balls. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes or until golden brown.


***I like to top the pretzels with grated Swiss cheese 5 minutes before the baking is done.***

Serve with your favorite mustard.