Palestinian Harissa

Indulge in the rich and fragrant flavors of Palestinian Harissa, a traditional semolina-based dessert that's irresistibly moist and sweet. This easy-to-make treat combines fine semolina, creamy yogurt, and melted butter to create a dense yet tender texture, while a beautifully golden crust forms as it bakes to perfection. Infused with the aromatic essence of rose water or orange blossom water (optional) in its luscious sugar syrup, this dessert captures the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine. Topped with blanched almonds for a delightful crunch, each piece is scored into charming diamond shapes, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious. Whether served after a meal or as a sweet snack with tea, Palestinian Harissa is a heartwarming dessert that's sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 2 cups fine semolina
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons tahini (for greasing pan)
• 20 whole blanched almonds (for garnish)
• 2 cups sugar (for syrup)
• 1.5 cups water (for syrup)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon rose water or orange blossom water (optional, for syrup)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the fine semolina, sugar, baking powder, yogurt, and melted butter. Mix well until a thick, smooth batter forms.

Step 3

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with tahini, ensuring even coverage.

Step 4

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 5

Using a wet knife, score the batter into diamond or square shapes. Place one blanched almond in the center of each piece.

Step 6

Bake the harissa in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7

While the harissa is baking, prepare the sugar syrup. In a saucepan, combine 2 cups of sugar and 1.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 8

Reduce the heat and let the syrup simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the lemon juice and, if desired, the rose water or orange blossom water. Stir well and remove from heat.

Step 9

When the harissa is baked and still warm, pour the prepared sugar syrup evenly over the surface. Allow the dessert to absorb the syrup completely before serving.

Step 10

Cut along the scored lines and serve the harissa at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1742.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4910.9

Total Fat 132.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 66.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 273.0mg	0%
Sodium 672.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 885.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.9g	0%
Total Sugars 639.8g
Protein 64.8g	0%

Vitamin D 117.6IU	0%
Calcium 727.1mg	0%
Iron 8.1mg	0%
Potassium 1516.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.8%

Protein: 5.2%

Carbs: 71.0%