Madmouja or Rfissa – Crumble made from fried semolina

This traditional Tunisian sweet recipe celebrates simple ingredients and ancestral know-how. Made with semolina, dates, and extra virgin olive oil, it is a comforting dish often prepared for family gatherings and special moments, where warmth and generosity are always at the table.

Ingredients:

For the dough:
500 gr of fine semolina
130 ml of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A pinch of salt
200 ml of warm water
Olive oil for frying

For the filling:
300 gr of pitted dates, chopped
300 gr of roasted and crushed nuts such as walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, or pistachios

Preparation:In a large bowl, combine the semolina with salt and olive oil, then gradually add the warm water while kneading until a soft and smooth dough forms. Let the dough rest for about twenty minutes. Shape it into small balls, roll them out thinly, and cut into small squares of approximately one centimeter. Heat olive oil and fry the dough pieces until golden, then drain them. Once cooled, crumble the fried pieces using a mortar. Meanwhile, prepare the dates by caramelizing them in a little olive oil over low heat for 2 minutes. Pour the dates over the crumbled semolina, add the chopped crushed nuts, and mix thoroughly until the mixture is fragrant and well combined. Transfer to a serving dish or individual verrines.