BASBOUSA 

(Middle Eastern Sweet Delight)

INTRODUCTION:

Basbousa is a cake made with Semolina. It is a very popular dish in the Middle East. Muslims and Coptic Christians use it during their fasts. Muslims traditionally use it during the holy month of Ramzan. It has some other names in other regions but traditionally it is Basbousa. Also called Harissa, Revani, and Ravani in other regions.

It is also called an Egyptian Dessert as its birthplace is said to be Egypt.

It is baked like a cake with a small amount of sugar in the batter and after it is baked, sugar syrup with Rose flavor is poured over it immediately after taking it out of the oven.

In some recipes, Basbousa is baked again for 10-12 minutes after soaking it with the sugar syrup.

This dessert can be made with Eggs or Yogurt or both, as its leavening agent. So you have a choice here.

I have prepared this dish in two styles, once I baked it again after soaking it with Rose scented sugar syrup and again I made it without baking again.

The aroma of Rose arising from this dessert is really captivating that the family members become impatient to have it.

Here we are, going to start our preparation of Basbousa with the name of All Mighty ALLAH.

WHAT WE NEED:

For Cake

1. 2 Cups Semolina
2. 2/3 Cups Sugar
3. 1 Cup Yogurt
4. 2 Large Eggs
5. 1 Cup Desiccated Coconut 
6. 2/3 Cups Butter or Oil
7. 15-20 Almonds (peeled and blanched)
8. 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
9. 1/4 Teaspoon Yello Food Colour (Optional)

For Sugar Syrup

1. 2 Cups Sugar
2. 2 Cups Water
3. 2-3 Tablespoons Lemon juice
4. 1/2 to 1 Teaspoon Rose Extract 

HOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT:

Sugar Syrup

1. First, we'll prepare our Sugar syrup by boiling sugar in an equal amount of water in a pan on medium heat.
2. Add Lemon juice in it and simmer it till it becomes a bit thick.
3. Add Rose Extract and douse the heat.
4. Cover and cool it.

Cake

1. Grease a rectangular 9-inch baking pan and set it aside. 
2. Now mix all ingredients except Almonds in a bowl and whisk them till combined.
3. Blanch Almonds and peel them.
4. Pour this batter into the Pan and place it in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
5. Preheat Oven to 180 F or 350 C or on Gas point 4 for 15-20 minutes before taking out the batter from the Refrigerator.
6. Take out the Pan from the Refrigerator and make Square or Diamond shape cuts with a sharp knife in it and place an almond on each square or the diamond and place it in the oven.
7. Bake it for 35-40 minutes.
8. Keep the Oven running for putting the cake back in it for a further few minutes.
9. Take out the baked cake and pour the sugar syrup (now cold at room temperature) over the hot cake till it is completely soaked in it.
10. Put the cake back into the Oven and bake it for 10 minutes till it is golden.
11. After 10 minutes the Basbousa is ready to be enjoyed hot, warm or cold.
12. Can be stored in Refrigerator in cover for up to 3 days. I have used it for 5 days in the Refrigerator.

Hope you'll enjoy Basbousa with family and friends. I'll also post another recipe of Basbousa later with a little variety.

Practice it for the forthcoming Holy month of Ramzan and enjoy it at Saher or Iftar time.

Don't wait and make it without any FEAR OF FAILURE. 

INSHA ALLAH our next recipe will be Crispy Coconut Biscuits.

Thank you for visiting my Blog.

NOVICE