Mamounieh (Syrian Semolina Pudding)
Mamounieh is an ancient dessert originating in Aleppo, Syria. It is traditionally eaten as breakfast food,in weddings and special occasions.
It is smooth and velvety semolina pudding topped with sizzling pine nuts, pistachio or any nuts you like and dashes of cinnamon. Some people like it hot, fresh for a wonderful winter dessert, while others prefer it cold or at room temperature in the summer, where it holds a firmer, more pudding-like consistency. There are people who like to add melted, white, stringy cheese to the dish, which is also very delicious!
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup coarse semolina
4-5 cups of water
1 and 1/2 cups sugar
Nuts and cinnamon for decoration
Directions
– In a pot add water and sugar and bring to a boil
– In another pot melt the butter
– Add the semolina to the melted ghee and stir until the semolina is very lightly golden
– Add the toasted semolina to the water carefully while stirring continuously until the mix thickens
– Turn off the heat and cover the pot for 10 minutes
Serve the mamounia decorated with nuts and dusting of cinnamon if you like.
Lara Khouli