Harisseh (Middle Eastern Sweets)

Name: Harisseh (Middle Eastern Sweets)
Prep time: 1 h 40 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 25
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 118 milliliters chopped almonds; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 25 blanched almond halves for garnish; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 118 milliliters plain yogurt; 1 teaspoon rose water; 237 milliliters semolina flour; 118 milliliters vegetable oil; 237 milliliters water; 473 milliliters white sugar

Harisseh (Middle Eastern Sweets) might be just the hor d'oeuvre you are searching for. One serving contains 149 calories, 2g of protein, and 6g of fat. This vegetarian recipe serves 25. If you have semolina flour, water, blanched almond halves, and a few other ingredients on hand, you can make it. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Instructions

Stir together semolina, baking powder, 2 cups of sugar, and chopped almonds until evenly blended. Stir in yogurt, vegetable oil, and rose water until a soft dough forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Ingredients you will need

Baking Powder

Vegetable Oil

Rose Water

Semolina

Almonds

Yogurt

Dough

Sugar

Wrap

Equipment you will use

Plastic Wrap

Bowl

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Press the dough into a 9x9 inch square baking dish, and smooth the top. Score the top of the dough to create 25 squares, then top each square with an almond half.

Ingredients you will need

Almonds

Dough

Equipment you will use

Baking Pan

Oven

Bake in preheated oven until the top has puffed and turned golden brown, about 20 minutes. The harisseh is done when the top is golden, and the center has firmed. When done, remove from the oven, and allow to cool in the pan for 20 minutes.

Equipment you will use

Oven

Frying Pan

While the harisseh is cooling, pour water and 2 cups of sugar into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of rose water, and lemon juice, then remove from the heat.

Ingredients you will need

Lemon Juice

Rose Water

Sugar

Water

Equipment you will use

Sauce Pan

To serve, cut the warm harisseh into 25 squares, and place onto a large serving platter; pour the rose water syrup over, making sure all of the pieces are moist.

Ingredients you will need

Rose Water

Syrup