Almond Orange Blossom Water Ilma Zhar Recipe

In Morocco, orange blossom water is called Ilma Zhar, a phrase in Arabic meaning flower water. Cooking with orange flower water is easy; replace the vanilla extract in your recipe with orange flower water. Also, most fruits and nuts, especially almonds, pair well with Ilma Zhar orange flower water.

Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 5 min Total time: 15 min

Ilma Zhar, or orange blossom water, is a clear, perfumed distillation of fresh bitter-orange blossoms. Orange flower water is an essential ingredient in Middle Eastern and Moroccan cooking. It's produced by distilling an infusion of crushed orange blossoms and water. The resulting perfumed water is sweetly fragrant with orange blossoms but not citrus.

Orange blossom water serves two purposes in Morocco. One usage is a perfume or freshener, usually given to guests to wash their hands upon entering the host house or before drinking tea, in a special silver or metal container. Still, this old custom is fading away in the present day. However, the main usage of orange blossom water is in Moroccan cuisine, especially as an ingredient for traditional sweets. Peeled slices of oranges sprinkled with orange flower water and cinnamon are an easy, light African dessert. Peaches also work well in this recipe.

Our favorite recipe is below:

Almond Orange Blossom Water Ilma Zhar Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup whole unsalted almonds

½ teaspoon orange flower water

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and serve as a topping, appetizer, dessert or snack. Serve over salad, yogurt, cottage cheese, or ice cream.

In Morocco, orange blossom water is called Ilma Zhar, a phrase in Arabic meaning flower water. Try new recipes to make every night for dinner; it's time to upgrade your recipe skills to the next level.

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