The common denominator is that they all are somehow connected to my late mother, Esther.

She would make crunchy orange-blossom cookies with sesame seeds and ground almonds that she would store in beautiful metal containers.

Over the years, I’ve learned many new techniques that have allowed me to reproduce many of the cookies that I remember munching on as a child.

If you add a little more liquid, or a little more oil, the texture changes, and I love playing around with the ingredients until the cookies come out perfectly.

Hot summer days are the perfect time to make cookies.

My family loves eating cookies with rosetta almond drink or cold lemonade.

Savta Gita’s Cookies

EVERY woman in Tripoli had her own secret recipe for these cookies. In my opinion, my mother-in-law Gita’s version is the best.

Method

In a bowl, beat eggs and sugar together until smooth (can use electric mixer if desired). Add the vanilla sugar and stir well.

While stirring, add the melted margarine, zest, bicarb of soda and baking powder. Gradually add the flour while stirring (you may not need to use all the flour — it depends on how much is absorbed in the liquid).

Place the dough in the fridge for 90 minutes or overnight. Remove from fridge and let sit for 30 minutes, then knead again.

Take a handful of dough and knead it in your hands. Form cigar shapes and then connect ends to form rings with a diameter of 6 to 7 cm. Place the rings on a greased tray and make criss-cross indentations with a knife.

Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 180°C for 20 minutes. Store in an airtight container. Makes 80-85 cookies.

Bizcochos

Method

In a large bowl, beat eggs with sugar, oil, salt, arak, vanilla or lemon zest. Gradually add the flour and baking powder. Knead until smooth.

Take a little dough and roll out into cigar shape and connect ends to form a ring with a 6 cm diameter. Place rings on a tray covered with baking paper. With a knife, make indentations about 1 cm apart.

In a separate bowl, beat egg with powdered sugar and then spread coating on cookies (two layers) and then sprinkle with seeds. Bake at 160°C for 30 minutes or until golden. Makes 40 cookies.

Moroccan ‘Machine’ Cookies

Method

Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. You can use an electric mixer with a dough hook if you prefer. Let dough rest for 15 minutes. Add the special cookie attachment to the meat grinder.

Split dough into four sections. Add each section of dough to the grinder. Cut each strip into cookies that are 9-10 cm long. Place evenly on a tray covered with baking paper.

Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 180°C for 15-20 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Let cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Makes 65-70 cookies

Esther’s La Petite Cookies

Method

In a large bowl, beat eggs while adding sugar, oil, lemon and orange juice, lemon and orange zest, vanilla sugar, orange-blossom water and baking powder. Mix until light and fluffy. You can also use an electric mixer and beat for 4-5 minutes.

Gradually add almonds or hazelnuts, aniseed and flour while mixing. Mix until smooth. You can add more juice or water if necessary. Form cookies with greased hands and place evenly on a greased pan (or use baking paper). Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 180°C for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container.

You can use 2-3 drops of quality almond extract instead of orange-blossom water.

Makes 80 cookies.