Nammurah Harisseh Recipes

NAMOURA (SYRUP-SOAKED SEMOLINA CAKE)

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.

HARISSEH (MIDDLE EASTERN SWEETS)

Steps:

• Stir together semolina, baking powder, 1/2 cup 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.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Press the dough into a 10-inch square baking dish, and smooth the top. Score the top of the dough to create 15 1-inch squares, then top each square with an almond half.
• 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.
• 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.
• To serve, cut the warm harisseh into 15 squares, and place onto a large serving platter; pour the rose water syrup over, making sure all of the pieces are moist.

NAMURRAH OR CREAM OF WHEAT CAKE

Steps:

• Butter or grease a 9" x 13" pan and preheat oven to 425F (Note: Use an 8" x 8" pan for a half recipe).
• In a large bowl, stir dry ingredients, the cream of wheat, sugar, baking powder, until well combined--then add yogurt and vanilla (and coconut, if desired) and stir until thoroughly blended.
• Pour into prepared cake pan and sprinkle with almonds.
• Bake about 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
• While baking, heat 1 c sugar and 1/2 c water to boiling on stove and remove from heat after it boils for a minute or two--then stir in the lemon juice (and orange blossom water or essence).
• When cake is still warm, pour syrup over top.
• Serve warm or cold.