Bint as-Saḥn (Yemenite Layered Pastry)
Bint al-sahn (Arabic: بنت الصحن), or Sabayah, is a layered pastry traditionally made in Yemen, and now popular in other regions. The procedure takes a long time.

Before you start
A quick setup makes the method easier to follow and keeps important steps from being missed.
Preparation checklist
- Read all 11 method steps from beginning to end.
- Measure and arrange all 14 listed ingredients.
- Set aside about 60 minutes, based on the time recorded by the source.
Useful preparation guidance
Read the complete method before starting so ingredients and equipment are ready when needed.
Measure and prepare every ingredient before applying heat or beginning time-sensitive steps.
Use the method's visual and texture cues, because cookware and heat levels can vary between kitchens.
General kitchen guidance; no recipe-specific claim has been added.Method
- 01
Combine the yeast and warm water. Stir in the warm milk.
- 02
Stir the salt, sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs into the yeast mixture.
- 03
Mix the flour and semolina into the above mixture. Knead well to make a dough.
- 04
Cover dough and let it sit until dough rises.
- 05
Divide the dough into pieces the size of your hand, and transfer to a flour-dusted surface to prevent sticking.
- 06
Work each dough ball, stretching and folding the dough over itself multiple times. This stretching and folding process helps produce an airy and light-textured dough.
- 07
Let dough balls rest for 10–15 minutes.
- 08
Prepare a flat working surface by rubbing it with some margarine. Roll out one piece of dough into a very thin round.
- 09
Brush the dough round with margarine, then lightly sprinkle with crushed almonds, pistachios, black cumin, and sesame seeds.
- 10
Roll another piece of dough into a thin round. Stack on top of the first round, then brush with margarine and sprinkle with more almonds, pistachios, etc. Repeat this step, stacking the rounds, until all the dough is used up.
- 11
Bake the stacked dough in oven. Serve with honey.
Ready to serve
Serve the dish as directed and enjoy it while it is at its best.
Bon appétit — enjoy your meal!Source & licence
This recipe was adapted and reformatted from Wikibooks Cookbook . Text: CC BY-SA 4.0. Image: CC BY-SA 3.0, credited to Rukn950; view original image record .



