Harissa, Harisa, Haresa Arabic Semolina Cake

Ingredients

cake

• 3 cups semolina
• 3/4 cup unsweetened butter, melted
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup whole blanched almond or ground pistachio nut (to garnish)

syrup

• 4 cups sugar
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 small lemon, juice of (or equivalent citric acid)

Directions

1. 1

   Mix the semolina, the sugar and the butter in a large bowl. Use your hands to corporate the butter with the other ingredients until mixed well.

2. 2

   Mix the yogurt and the baking soda in a separate bowl.

3. 3

   Wait a few minutes until the yogurt doubles in size.

4. 4

   When the yogurt has doubled (or almost)pour the yogurt mix on top of the semolina mix.

5. 5

   Use your hands again to mix.

6. 6

   After you combined the two mixes, press the mix down on a small jellyroll pan or a 9x13 pyrex baking dish.

7. 7

   (The cake mix should not be more then 1 inch thick. If it is bake the cake in a bigger pan or take out the extra and bake it in a separte pan.).

8. 8

   Cut a diamond or square design in the cake witha butter knife.

9. 9

   If using almond place one in each piece.

10. 10

    Bake at 400 degrees for 30min to 45 mins until its a bronze brown color.

11. 11

    Pour cold syrup on top while its hot so it can absorb all through.

12. 12

    If using ground pistashios sprinkle a little on top of each square.

13. 13

    FOR THE SYRUP:.

14. 14

    Mix all the ingredients for the syrup and place in saucepan on high until it boils. If using citric acid use only the the tip of a teaspoon.

15. 15

    Then reduce the heat to medium for 45 min to 1 hour until it coats a metal spoon.