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5.0 from 3 votes

Debla (Oudnin el Kadhi or Manicotti)

Debla (or oudnin el kadhi) is a Tunisian pastry which consists of a thin strip of dough that is fried before being coated with an orange blossom water scented syrup, and sprinkled with sesame seeds or crushed nuts.

Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 20 deblas
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Tunisian , North African

Ingredients

For the dough
  • 4 cups flour
  • 4 eggs , lightly beaten
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 pinches salt
  • 4 tablespoons orange blossom water (or rose water)
  • vegetable oil (for frying)
  • cornstarch (for the countertop)
For the syrup
  • 8 oz. honey
  • 2 tablespoons orange blossom water (or rose water)
  • Juice of a lemon
For the decor
  • 2 oz. sesame seeds (or coarsely ground roasted pistachios)
Equipment
  • Pastry wheel
  • Rolling pin
  • Pasta machine (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Mix the flour, water, eggs, oil, lemon juice, orange or rose blossom water, and salt and knead until obtaining a smooth and homogeneous dough.
  2. If the dough is sticky, add a little flour and if, on the contrary, it is hard, add a little water (or orange blossom water or rose water).
  3. Divide the dough into 3 pieces of equal size. Cover each piece with plastic wrap and let them rest for 45 minutes in a cool place (not in the fridge). This stage allows the dough to become less elastic so it will be easier to roll.
  4. Sprinkle the work surface with cornstarch and, using a rolling pin, roll the first dough to about 1/16 inch (1mm) thickness.
  5. Using a serrated cutter, cut strips of dough, about 2 inches wide and 10 inches long (5x25cm).
  6. Repeat the operation with the remaining 3 pieces of dough.
  7. Place the strips of dough as you make them, on a dry cloth sprinkled with cornstarch and cover them so that they do not dry.
  8. Take a strip of dough and shake it gently to get rid of the cornstarch.
  9. Heat a large pot with vegetable oil over medium heat.
  10. Using a fork, prick the end of the dough strip while holding the other end with the other hand. Dip the part held by the fork for a few seconds in the oil then roll the dough quickly around the fork.
  11. Carefully remove the fork, and flip with a slotted spoon.
  12. When it is golden brown, take the strip out of the oil and place in a colander.
Syrup
  1. In a non-stick saucepan, combine the honey, lemon juice, orange blossom water (or rose water) and bring to a boil.
  2. Turn off the heat and soak the oudnin el kadhi (still hot) in the hot syrup.
  3. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or ground pistachios.

Notes

  • It is possible and even preferable to use a pasta roller (pasta machine) to roll the dough.