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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 (223g)

Recipe makes 12 servings

Calories 606
Calories from Fat 141 (23%)
Amount Per Serving %DV
Total Fat 15.7g 24%
Saturated Fat 8.0g 40%
Monounsaturated Fat 5.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 33mg 11%
Sodium 251mg 10%
Potassium 158mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 111.9g 37%
Dietary Fiber 2.3g 9%
Sugars 80.4g
Protein 7.5g 14%

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Harissa, Harisa, Haresa Arabic Semolina Cake

Recipe #201134 | 1 hour | 15 min prep | add private note

By: Faten
Dec 20, 2006

I was looking for a varition of our families Harissa recipe but was suprised that Zarr did'nt have anything close to what we love to make every Ramadan and special occasion. Us Palestinians love sweets. So here it is and enjoy!

SERVES 12 (change servings and units)

Ingredients

cake

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.

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Featured Reviews for This Recipe

From: Baker30

On Sep 15, 2009

Irresistably delicious and doesn't get any easier than this to make! I followed the recipe exactly except for the syrup because I wanted to cut time short.So I just made the " Attar Palestinian syrup" from this site and it still turned out great.Thank you for posting this great recipe!

0 people found this review helpful

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  • From: browniepie

    On Sep 8, 2009

    We invited people over to break Ramadan fast with us and I made this. Everyone loved it. My husband said I'd outdone myself! I didn't quite have 3 whole cups of semolina, about 2 3/4 so I sort of cut down on everything else as well, like using only 1 tsp of baking soda and cutting down on the sugar and water for the syrup. I used whole pistachios for each square. It certainly was a big hit and I'm already thinking about when I can make it again. thanks for sharing!

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    From: UmmIbrahim

    On Aug 10, 2009

    I must have tried five or six different recipes for this cake, and this is by FAR the BEST!! If you are looking for great harissa dont look any further, this is it! Thanks Faten for an awesome recipe! We cant get enough!

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  • From: Ummsami

    On Jun 5, 2009

    Thanks for the great recipe. My husband is Palestinian and he absolutely loved this cake! I served it with mint tea. I hope more people will post Palestinian recipes like this one.

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  • Read all 11 reviews

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