**Introduction:**
Indulge in the delectable flavors of Namoura, a traditional Middle Eastern semolina cake drenched in a luscious syrup. This delightful treat originates from the Levant region and has gained immense popularity worldwide. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with this rich and moist cake, featuring a heavenly blend of nutty semolina, sweet syrup, and aromatic spices. Our comprehensive guide offers three irresistible variations of Namoura: the classic, the chocolate, and the coconut, each with its unique twist. Discover the art of crafting this heavenly dessert and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.
**Recipes:**
1. **Classic Namoura:** Experience the authentic taste of Namoura with this timeless recipe. Semolina flour takes center stage, complemented by yogurt, sugar, and a touch of baking powder for a light and fluffy texture. Infused with the warmth of cinnamon and the zesty flavor of orange zest, this classic Namoura embodies the essence of Middle Eastern flavors.
2. **Chocolate Namoura:** Indulge in a decadent twist with our Chocolate Namoura recipe. Rich cocoa powder blends harmoniously with semolina flour, creating a moist and chocolatey cake. Enhance its allure with melted butter, sugar, and a hint of vanilla extract. This divine dessert is sure to satisfy any chocolate lover's cravings.
3. **Coconut Namoura:** Embark on a tropical adventure with our Coconut Namoura recipe. Grated coconut adds a delightful textural contrast to the semolina base, while coconut milk infuses every bite with a subtle sweetness. Topped with a luscious coconut syrup, this variation is a true celebration of tropical flavors.
Dive into the world of Namoura and explore these three enticing recipes. Each variation promises a unique sensory experience, from the classic symphony of flavors to the indulgent chocolatey delight and the refreshing coconut escapade. Let your taste buds embark on a journey of pure bliss with this delectable Middle Eastern treat.
NAMOURA (SYRUP-SOAKED SEMOLINA CAKE)
Amanda Saab, a social worker and home cook who lives near Detroit, riffs on her Lebanese grandmother's recipe for namoura, a cake made from semolina flour, soaked in syrup while it's still warm. When she serves it at iftar dinners during Ramadan, Ms. Saab often doses the syrup with a little bit of lavender extract. You could follow her lead, or use another floral note like vanilla or rose. The cake has no eggs, but this version gets its rich flavor and texture from aerated yogurt, which goes bubbly within minutes of being mixed with a little baking soda.
Provided by Tejal Rao
Categories cakes, dessert
Time 1h
Yield 20 to 24 pieces
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a small saucepan over high heat, boil sugar and 1 cup/240 milliliters of water, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce the heat to a simmer, add lemon juice and extract, and stir to combine. Simmer until thickened into a syrup, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- Heat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter. Place the semolina, melted butter and sugar in a large bowl and stir until well combined; set aside.
- Place the yogurt and baking soda in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Set aside until the mixture has nearly doubled in size, about 10 minutes.
- Pour the yogurt mixture over the semolina mixture and mix well to combine. Transfer to the buttered baking dish and press into an even layer. Using a knife, score the surface of the namoura on the diagonal into 2-inch diamond-shaped pieces. Top each diamond in the center with an almond. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Place baking dish on a wire rack and drizzle the cooled syrup over the top of the hot namoura. Let cool to room temperature before recutting along the scored lines and serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 247, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 42 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 149 milligrams, Sugar 26 grams, TransFat 0 grams
NAMOURA - LEBANESE SEMOLINA CAKE
This is a traditional dessert, easy and yummy. Dense cake/bars with Middle Eastern flavors like rose water and orange blossom water. Good for every occasion, great after a meal, or with tea or coffee.
Provided by Cosette Khoryati
Categories Other Breakfast
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- 1. Prepare the Namoura: -In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients leaving out the almonds for garnish. The mix should be slightly thick and sticky. -Spread the tahini on the bottom and sides of a 14-15 inch round pan to prevent sticking. (feel free to use a square or rectangular pan, don't go too small though, Namoura shouldn't rise very high, not more than 1 inch thick) -Pour the Namoura mix in the pan and smooth the top. (You can do that by dipping your fingers in some melted butter and smoothing out the top) -Leave the cake to rest for 5-6 hours. (It's OK to decrease the time if you're in a hurry) -Before you bake the cake, with a watered knife, cut the namoura with evenly spaced lines to create square or diamond shaped pieces. (you don't have to cut it through to the bottom) -Decorate each square with a blanched almond or any other nuts of your choice (traditionally we use almonds or sometimes pine nuts) -Bake the Namoura in a 400 degrees preheated oven until it's golden.
- 2. Prepare the Sugar Syrup: -Boil together sugar and water. -Add lemon juice, when the syrup starts thickening. -Add rose water and orange blossom water just before you turn off the heat or right after. -Cool the sugar syrup completely.
- 3. To finish the Namoura: -Take off the Namoura from the oven, while it's very hot, pour the cooled sugar syrup all over. Preferably not all the syrup at once, let the cake absorb it then repeat. -Cool the Namoura, then cut it (on the already existing lines) and enjoy!
Tips:
- Use high-quality semolina flour. This will result in a cake with a fine texture and rich flavor.
- Be sure to soak the semolina flour in water for at least 30 minutes before using. This will help to soften the flour and make it easier to work with.
- Use a light hand when mixing the batter. Overmixing can result in a tough cake.
- Bake the cake in a preheated oven. This will help to ensure that the cake rises evenly.
- Don't overbake the cake. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean when the cake is done.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before serving. This will help the syrup to soak into the cake and give it a moist texture.
Conclusion:
Namoura is a delicious and easy-to-make cake that is perfect for any occasion. With its simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give namoura a try.
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