Harisseh Middle Eastern Sweets Recipes

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.

MIDDLE EASTERN COCONUT CAKE (HARISSAH)

Steps:

• First make syrup by boiling water and sugar for about 5 to 10 minutes depending on how heavy you may want it but it shouldn't be any thicker than pancake syrup in consistency.
• *You may also add a tsp of rose water or orange blossom to it to give more of a traditional middle eastern dessert taste (I personally can do without it so that's why my recipe doesn't call for it under the ingredients).
• When done with that process set syrup aside to cool.
• Start on the Harissa by combining sugar,eggs,oil,milk,vanilla,lemon juice and mix them together until blended.
• Then add flour and baking powder to mixture and blend well.
• Lastly you want to STIR coconut into batter.
• Then its time to add to greased and floured pan (never a bundt pan)-- an oblong pan will do.
• Bake for about 30 minutes at 350°F or more until a light/medium golden brown.
• When cake is done and still hot pour syrup all over cake in pan.
• You don't have to use all the syrup but at least 3/4 should be used on the cake.
• Let cool, then cut in slanted squares.
• Then remove each piece onto a tray.
• You can garnish with a little shredded coconut on top for presentation.