777- Sellou, the Moroccan Energy Mix / سلو

Ingredients :

• 500 grams (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 45 grams (1/3 cup) powdered sugar
• 500 grams (4 cups) golden sesame seeds
• 500 grams (4 oz.) blanched almonds
• 1 teaspoon crushed gum Arabic (optional)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons ground anise, to taste
• 1 to 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, to taste
• 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 300 grams (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
• Honey, to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying almonds

Directions :

Step 1: The Flour
1. To brown the flour, first preheat the oven to 200°C (395°F). Place the flour in a baking pan, and place it in the oven.

2. After 15 minutes, stir the flour and continue baking it.

3. Keep baking for 45 minutes or so until the flour gets a brown color. Stir the flour every 10 minutes to avoid burning it.

Step 2: The Almonds
4. Pour vegetable oil on a pan and heat it up. Fry the blanched almonds in the hot oil until they become golden brown.

5. In a food processor, mix the almonds into a chunky mixture.

Step 3: The Sesame Seeds
6. On medium heat, roast the sesame seeds on a pan for around 5 minutes while stirring constantly. Then, mix the sesame seeds in a food processor into a chunky mixture. Then, mix the sesame seeds in a food processor into a chunky mixture.

Step 4: The Butter
7. To clarify the butter, first place it in a saucepan and melt on medium heat.

8. Let the butter boil for a few minutes until the foam disappears from the surface.

Step 5: Mix It All
9. In a large bowl, combine the following ingredients: the mixed sesame seeds, mixed almonds, ground anise, ground cinnamon, crushed mastic gum, salt, and grated nutmeg. Sift the browned flour and add it to the ingredients. Mix well until well integrated.

10. Now add the rest of the ingredients: the clarified butter, powdered sugar, and honey. continue mixing. Taste and add more honey and/or powdered sugar to your preference.

11. Knead the sellou for 5 minutes until you get a homogeneous paste.

12. You can present Sellou crumbled in a plate. Or if you want to shape it, put some softened butter in your hands and shape it in a pie or into individual balls.