Description
A delicious and creamy Middle Eastern dessert made with layers of bread soaked in sweet syrup and topped with nuts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 slices white sandwich bread
- 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
- ⅓ cup fine semolina
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch (cornflour in the UK)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons orange blossom water
- 1 ½ teaspoons rose water
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- ¾ cup pistachios (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Toast the bread slices until lightly golden and crisp, then arrange them in a single layer in the baking dish.
- Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the lemon juice and simmer for about 7 minutes until the syrup lightly coats the back of a spoon but still pours easily. Remove from the heat and stir in the orange blossom water.
- Pour the hot syrup evenly over the toasted bread. Let it soak for 2-3 minutes, then carefully flip the bread slices so both sides absorb the syrup evenly. This helps prevent dry patches and ensures even soaking.
- Whisk the semolina, cornstarch, sugar if using, and milk in a clean saucepan until smooth. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly until thickened to a loose pudding consistency, and clear lines remain when you run a spatula through it (takes about 10-12 minutes).
- Remove from the heat and stir in the orange blossom water, rose water, and ricotta cheese until smooth and fully combined.
- While the ashta is still warm, pour it evenly over the soaked bread and smooth the surface. The top should look glossy and level.
- Cover the dessert directly with plastic wrap, pressing it gently against the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until fully chilled and set.
- Just before serving, remove the plastic wrap, sprinkle evenly with chopped pistachios, then cut into squares and serve cold.
Notes
- Serving this dessert cold enhances the flavor.
- You can adjust the amount of sugar in the syrup according to your sweetness preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg