The sweet confection of baked coconut and sweetened condensed milk from Oman is called a Chaklama, a close relative to the very well know Coconut Macaroon.
It’s time for the MENA (Middle Eastern & North African) Cooking Group. This monthly group has for goal to help us discover the culture and cuisine of the countries found in these parts of the world. The host of the month will choose two savory and a sweet dish from the country and the members pick one dish to make. We are visiting the lesser know country of Oman this month and we will sample Chaklama, or Omani Coconut Macaroons. Ramadan Mubarak to all my Muslim friends and readers.
Hanging with my Chaklamas by the lake at the cottage.
The Sultanate of Oman is in the Middle East, on the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west, and Yemen in the southwest. The oldest known human settlement in Oman dates to the Stone Age and it has always been influenced by Arabic and Persian dynasties. Until Sultan Qaboos bin Said exiled the previous Sultan in 1970, Oman was an under-developed nation, and almost completely closed to visitors.
Since that time, education, public works and tourism have taken off throughout the country. Omanis are proud of both their country’s rapid progress and their heritage. If you go visit the capital of Muscat (only 4 hours by car from Dubai), the oasis town Bahla which is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fort in Nizwa, the Hajar Mountain range and the massive rolling dunes of Wahiba Sands.
Vintage plate alert!
Although Omani cuisine varies within different regions of Oman, most dishes across the country have a staple of curry, cooked meat, fish, rice, and vegetables. Soups are also common and are usually made from chicken, lamb, and vegetables like smoked eggplant. Most Omani dishes tend to contain a rich mixture of spices, herbs, and marinades. Traditional dishes include harees, kebabs, machboos and Sakhana. Desserts are made up of tapioca pudding, kanafa, anjir pak and anything with coconut.
Chaklama is such a coconut based dessert. I think it is the first time we are suggested a recipe I couldn’t find solid information about on the internet. I saw maybe 4 references, all vague and without description. But basically it is just like a coconut macaroon (not to be confused with Macarons). Macaroons are said to come from Italy around the 9th century and they have split into variations across the world. So who made them first: Omanis or Italians? I guess we will never know.
Vintage oven alert!
It had been a while since I used coconut in a recipe, not since the Coconut Cream Pie. My Chaklama recipe is greatly adapted from the Nestle website. I did not mean to make such drastic changes but I was in a pickle. I was at the family cottage and I was sure I had all the minor components. Well no vanilla and no baking powder. So I skipped the vanilla and my ‘glue’ alternative was an egg and corn starch.
Hey sometimes you have to work with what you’ve got! I don’t think my changes were to dramatic and they baked a bit faster so these are extra golden. They tasted just like any macaroon I have ever tasted…well a bit better since I made them ha ha. Our MENA Cooking Club host this month is Rafeeda from The Big Sweet Tooth.
Chaklama, Omani Coconut Macaroons
Ingredients
- 4 cups unsweetened desiccated coconut
- 1 egg
- 1 can 397 g sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until you get a soft dough.
- Scoop out 12 portions with an ice cream scoop and place on a lined cookie sheet.
- Bake in a 355°F (180°C) preheated oven for 10-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool and serve.
Check out more Middle Eastern sweet recipes here:
- Gers Ogaily, an exotic perfumed cake from Kuwait
- Qatari Rangina (Sweet Buttered Dates)
- Lebanese Muhallabieh (Milk Pudding)
Wow… this is great, looks so nice. Simple ingredients and making process is not complicated. Something like this really makes me want to serve them with ice cream. 🙂
Oman is one country I am dying to visit! It sounds like it has retained its magical authentic heritage from the time of the 1001 nights, yet updated to the new world ruled by technology. Anyway, thanks for the recipe and the intro to this culture.
I absolutely love coconut macaroons. These look golden delicious.
Thank you so much Kristi!
An easy peasy recipe that looks so delicious! All thanks to your research and write up! There’s always so much to learn from your posts!
Thanks Sonali, so sweet of you to say! yep super easy, great for your twins!
I bet you didn’t know I am not a coconut fan Evelyne. But girl, you are turning me into one lol. I am seriously considering trying this out. You definitely got a gift ;).
Great to hear Kia, I am out to convert the world lol! Thank you!
I love macaroons and I really enjoyed the virtual trip to Oman!
Thanks Katerina 🙂
Great write up! I love macaroons and the ones you made look absolutely amazing!
Thanks Karyn 😀
I love macaroons and how interesting that Oman has their own version. Yours look delicious—and I’m mighty impressed with your baking prowess regarding substitutions!!!
Ha ha thanks I am sure you would be the best in substitutions too for baking.
Bonjour! What a gorgeous recipe and is that the sun in background Evelyn? lol I would hardly recognize it these days here! Congrats on also completing this month’s Middle Eastern and North African Cooking challenge and for continuing to inspire me! Pinned and shared!
Gday Joanne. yes it is sun, very hot here lol. Thanks and loved your entry too!
Lucky me having all the ingredients for these awesome coconut macaroons! Might just whip up a batch this weekend!
Oh I hope you make them and let me know if good!
Ooh memories! I didn’t have this when I visited Oman but the food there was good! I don’t remember trying many sweets but now that you’ve shared this recipe I won’t feel like I’ve missed out on anything as I can make it myself 😀
So cool Lorraine that you have been to Oman! You make me want to try more Omani dishes