Arab Sweets: A Delicious Journey Through Middle Eastern Desserts
Introduction
The Middle East is known for its rich and diverse culture, and one of the most prominent aspects of this culture is its cuisine. The region boasts a variety of flavorful and aromatic dishes, including a wide range of desserts. Arab sweets are famous around the world for their unique taste and texture, and they are a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. In this article, we will take you on a journey through some of the most popular Arab sweets, their ingredients, and nutrition.Baklava
Baklava is a sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. The nuts most commonly used are pistachios, walnuts, or almonds. Baklava is a staple dessert in Arab countries, and it is also popular in Greece and Turkey. The pastry is often cut into diamond-shaped pieces and served with a cup of tea or coffee.Ingredients:
- 1 pound phyllo dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups chopped nuts (pistachios, walnuts, or almonds)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine the chopped nuts and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Brush a 9x13 inch baking dish with melted butter.
- Unroll the phyllo dough and cut it to the size of the baking dish.
- Place a layer of phyllo dough in the baking dish and brush it with melted butter.
- Repeat this process with 7 more layers of phyllo dough and butter.
- Sprinkle half of the nut mixture over the phyllo dough.
- Add 8 more layers of phyllo dough, brushing each layer with melted butter.
- Sprinkle the remaining nut mixture over the phyllo dough.
- Add the final 8 layers of phyllo dough, brushing each layer with melted butter.
- Cut the baklava into diamond-shaped pieces.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the baklava is baking, make the syrup by combining the water, sugar, and honey in a saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove the baklava from the oven and pour the syrup over it.
- Let the baklava cool before serving.
Nutrition:
One serving of baklava (1 piece) contains:
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
Basbousa
Basbousa, also known as revani or harissa, is a traditional Middle Eastern cake made of semolina, coconut, and yogurt. It is typically soaked in syrup flavored with rose water or orange blossom water. Basbousa is a popular dessert in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and other Arab countries.Ingredients:
- 1 cup semolina
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds (optional)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon rose water or orange blossom water
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with oil.
- In a large bowl, mix together the semolina, coconut, sugar, yogurt, vegetable oil, baking powder, and baking soda until well combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish and press it down with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the top (if using).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the basbousa is baking, make the syrup by combining the water, sugar, lemon juice, and rose water or orange blossom water in a saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove the basbousa from the oven and pour the syrup over it.
- Let the basbousa cool before serving.
Nutrition:
One serving of basbousa (1 piece) contains:
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
Kanafeh
Kanafeh, also spelled kunafa or knafeh, is a sweet cheese pastry that originated in the Levant region. The pastry is made of shredded phyllo dough filled with sweet cheese and soaked in syrup flavored with rose water or orange blossom water. Kanafeh is often served during Ramadan and other special occasions.Ingredients:
- 1 pound phyllo dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded akkawi cheese or ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup rose water or orange blossom water
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brush a 9x13 inch baking dish with melted butter.
- Unroll the phyllo dough and cut it to the size of the baking dish.
- Place half of the phyllo dough in the baking dish and brush it with melted butter.
- Mix the shredded mozzarella cheese and akkawi cheese or ricotta cheese in a bowl.
- Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the phyllo dough in the baking dish.
- Add the remaining phyllo dough on top of the cheese mixture, brushing each layer with melted butter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the kanafeh is baking, make the syrup by combining the sugar, water, and rose water or orange blossom water in a saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove the kanafeh from the oven and pour the syrup over it.
- Sprinkle the chopped pistachios over the top (if using).
- Let the kanafeh cool before serving.
Nutrition:
One serving of kanafeh (1 piece) contains:
- Calories: 400
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g