Komaj (Persian Date Bread with Turmeric & Cumin)

I made Komaj, a Persian date bread, this evening as my local action in support of immigrants and refugees from all over. I am so grateful for the flavors and textures and colors I get to cook and eat because of people who have immigrated to the United States from all over the world and made their homeland cuisine part of our shared country and cuisine. I chose a Persian food tonight because of the recent executive order targeting people from some Muslim-majority countries, and banning them from entry to the United States. I am opposed any Muslim ban or registry.

INGREDIENTS

1 pkg active dry yeast

1/8 cup warm water

3 3/4 cups all purpose flour (or bread flour)

2 tsp ground cumin seeds

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

Dash of salt

1 egg

1 cup warm almond milk

1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil

Filling:

12-15 pitted, dry dates (slightly soft), cut into chunks

2 Tbsp Earth Balance soy free buttery spread

1 tsp ground cardamom

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Set aside for 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, cumin, sugar, turmeric, and salt. Add egg. Mix together warm milk and olive oil. Add that. Mix together, then knead dough until have a smooth, pliable dough. Shape into a ball and put in well oiled bowl. Cover and let rise 1 hour or so. Punch down. Reform into ball and return to bowl. Cover and let rise another hour. In the meantime prepare the filling by putting those ingredients in food processor and pulsing until date pieces are small and all is well mixed.

Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Working with one portion at a time, roll into rectangle. Place about 1 tsp of filling in center of one half of the rectangle. Fold the dough over. Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough. Make sure sides are well sealed. Repeat with other 7 portions. Use scraps to form two more portions. 

Preheat oven to 400 F degrees. Place stuffed cut-out dough on lightly greased cookie sheet. Let sit 15 minutes. At this point they can be brushed with a little milk or an egg wash. Bake 8-10 minutes. Let cool on a rack. Can be dusted with a little confectioners sugar.

Serve warm. Makes10-15 buns.