Basbousa or Harissa is a middle eastern sweet cake made from semolina or farina & then soaked in flavored sugar syrup rose water or orange blossom water.It is garnished with almond or crushed pistachios & grated coconut. Some also soak this cake in honey & water syrup.
Through out middle east it has different names. Lebanese call it Nammoura, Egyptians call it Basbousa & Syrian Harissa. In Turkey & Greece it is called Revani or Ravani. In UAE it is called Harissa and sometimes basbousa also.
Through out middle east it has different names. Lebanese call it Nammoura, Egyptians call it Basbousa & Syrian Harissa. In Turkey & Greece it is called Revani or Ravani. In UAE it is called Harissa and sometimes basbousa also.
I was never inclined to try out Basbousa at home as this sweet is easily available here in every supermarkets & sweet shops. But Lecker&yummyrecipes had inspired me to try it out. And I was not at all dissapointed.
For more step by step details pls check her blog here.
I have made Basbousa in combination with syrup made from sugar, honey and water. No garnishes, just love it simply plain without any nuts. And I have baked it in muffins pan & a tray. You can make it in tray also.
Serving: 5-7 person
Semolina 250 gm
Curd 250 gm
Eggs 2
Eggs 2
Sugar 100 gm
Butter 65 gm
Baking powder 1 1/2 tsp
Breadcrumbs 3tbsp
Garnish: crushed pistachios or grated coconut
For the syrup
Sugar 100 gm + 75 ml honey (i use sidra honey)
Lemon juice of 1/2 lemon
Water 375 ml
For the syrup:- Mix together sugar & water for 5 minutes.Add lemon juice & boil for two minutes.Now add in honey.Mix well. Set aside for cooling.
Method:-
Garnish: crushed pistachios or grated coconut
For the syrup
Sugar 100 gm + 75 ml honey (i use sidra honey)
Lemon juice of 1/2 lemon
Water 375 ml
For the syrup:- Mix together sugar & water for 5 minutes.Add lemon juice & boil for two minutes.Now add in honey.Mix well. Set aside for cooling.
Method:-
- Prepare your baking tray or muffin pan by greasing it with butter & sprinkle breadcrumb to cover the entire area.
- Melt butter separately & cool it.
- Combine together Curd + eggs + 100gm sugar & vanilla essence in a bowl.
- Add in the cooled melted butter to the above mixture.
- Beat all the above till well blended & sugar has dissolved.
- Now add in Semolina & baking powder.Mix well.
- Pour the prepared mixture in a prepared tin & bake it@175 degress C for 45 minutes until it turns brown.
- When the cake is done allow it to cool for 5 minutes & then slowly in parts pour over syrup evenly all over the cake.
- Allow it to seep down & soad for about an hour.
- Cut it diagonally & garnish with crushed pistachios or grated coconut
My NOTE on the recipe is to prepare one day in advance.It tastes much better the next day.
