**Basboosa: A Delightful Middle Eastern Semolina Cake With Syrup**
Basboosa is a delectable Middle Eastern semolina cake that has captivated taste buds for centuries. This traditional dessert, also known as harissa or namoura, is characterized by its moist, spongy texture, tantalizing syrup, and nutty flavor. Typically made with fine semolina, yogurt, sugar, and coconut, basboosa is a ubiquitous presence at celebrations, gatherings, and festive occasions. This article presents a comprehensive guide to basboosa, featuring a classic recipe alongside variations that cater to diverse preferences. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets behind this timeless dessert, offering tips and tricks to achieve the perfect basboosa every time.
BASBOOSA II
This is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made of semolina flour, yogurt, and coconut. To adjust the sweetness, you can half or double the amount of sugar in the lemon syrup.
Provided by Felicia Manocchio
Categories Desserts
Time 1h
Yield 9
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch square baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the semolina flour, baking powder, 1 cup sugar, coconut and butter. Add the yogurt and milk; mix until moistened but not runny or liquid. If you see that it is too dry, add more milk. Spread into a greased 8 inch square baking dish, smoothing the top as much as possible. Decorate the top with whole almonds.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. While the basboosa is baking, combine the water, 1 cup of sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, and cook for at least 5 minutes.
- When the basboosa has finished baking, pour the syrup over it as evenly as possible. Place it back in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the syrup has been fully absorbed. Let rest for about 20 minutes before cutting into pieces and serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 298.5 calories, Carbohydrate 51.9 g, Cholesterol 15.7 mg, Fat 10 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 95 mg, Sugar 49.9 g
NAMOORA (BASBOOSA)
Middle Eastern dessert.
Provided by Basma Yacoub
Categories World Cuisine Recipes African
Time 1h50m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Line a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with aluminum foil and generously butter the foil. Spread the tahini evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan in a thin layer.
- Mix together farina cereal with 1 1/2 cup of sugar and baking powder in a bowl. Mix in the yogurt and 1 tablespoon of softened butter gently with your hands until the dough is smooth. Spread dough out into the prepared baking dish. Pat the surface smooth. Cover the dish with foil, and allow to stand at room temperature for 2 hours. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 squares; push an almond half gently into the top of each square.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Bake in the preheated oven until the dessert is set and the top is lightly golden brown, about 30 minutes.
- While the dessert is baking, make the syrup. Place 2 cups of sugar into a saucepan with the water, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar. Stir in the lemon juice, and boil the syrup for 5 minutes; stir in butter and orange flower water until combined. Pour the hot syrup over the dessert as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let cool for 1 to 2 hours to let the syrup absorb before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 285.8 calories, Carbohydrate 62.6 g, Cholesterol 4.7 mg, Fat 2.9 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 3.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 84.5 mg, Sugar 44.9 g
BASBOOSA
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the semolina flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, yogurt, oil, coconut, and baking powder. Set aside for 30 minutes.
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together the water, 1 3/4 cups sugar, and rosewater. Bring to a boil, and boil for 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread the semolina batter into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Slice into squares or diamonds, and place on almond half onto each piece.
- Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Switch the oven setting to broil, and broil until the top is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oven, and pour the syrup over the squares. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 322.6 calories, Carbohydrate 55.1 g, Cholesterol 1.2 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 3.9 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 102.1 mg, Sugar 39.7 g
Tips:
- Use fine semolina for a smooth texture.
- Soak the semolina in yogurt for at least 30 minutes, this will help it absorb the liquid and cook evenly.
- Use full-fat yogurt for a richer flavor.
- Add baking powder to the batter for a light and fluffy basboosa.
- Top the basboosa with a simple syrup made with sugar and water, this will help it stay moist.
- Garnish the basboosa with nuts, dried fruits, or shredded coconut before serving.
Conclusion:
Basboosa is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Serve it warm or cold, topped with your favorite toppings, and enjoy the sweet and nutty flavor of this classic Middle Eastern dessert.
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