Basbousa

An incomparable sweet dish from the Arab world, Basbousa is more than a cake; it is syrup soaked cake with a dollop of whipped cream.

Ingredients
For syrup


2 ¼ cups sugar
1 ½ cups water
1 tsp lemon juice


For cake


2 cups semolina
1 cup sugar
1 stick softened butter
1 cup whole milk
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp baking soda
2 eggs
Blanched almonds
Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation
In a saucepan, add sugar, lemon juice and boil
Once the syrup boils, reduce heat and allow it to slowly boil for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and keep aside
Preheat oven to 150 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 9x12 baking dish
Beat butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl to a creamy consistency. Add eggs and vanilla extract
In a separate bowl, combine semolina, baking powder and baking soda
Slowly add to the butter and egg mixture. Stir in the milk
Pour mixture into baking dish and smooth out with spoon
Take a butter knife and make diagonal lines from left to right and complete to make diamond shapes
Place an almond in the centre of each diamond. Bake for 25-30 minutes
Remove cake from oven and pour syrup over it until it absorbs all of it. Allow to cool for 20 minutes
Serve immediately with a dollop of whipped cream


(The author is a tutor and chef at Greens Ayurveda, Mahe)