Samantha’s recipe corner
According to legend, as the waters receded and food stocks ran low on the ark, Noah threw all the remaining food into a pot and hoped for the best. The result, if legends are to be believed, is Asure, one of history’s oldest desserts. Today, the dish is eaten by Shia Muslims on the day of Ashura – when sacrifices made by the Prophet’s family for the sake of mankind are remembered. There are many variations of Asure, and the dish has the added bonus of using up store cupboard leftovers.
INGREDIENTS
130g pearled spelt (soaked overnight in water) 100g tinned chickpeas 70g pudding rice 250ml skimmed milk 350ml water 1 tbsp honey 1½ tsp orange blossom water Small pinch ground cinnamon 60g mixture of walnuts, pistachios and hazelnuts (finely chopped) 5 dried dates (finely chopped) 3 figs (finely chopped) 20g sultanas
Almond slices, pomegranate seeds and pomegranate molasses to serve (optional) METHOD
Place the pre-soaked spelt, chickpeas and pudding rice into a medium sized pan with the milk and water. Stir well and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
Stir in the honey, orange blossom water and cinnamon. Simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring regularly until spelt and rice are cooked. Add more water for a thinner texture.
Take off the heat and fold in dried fruit and nuts. Taste for sweetness, adding more honey if desired. Serve at room temperature. Scatter with pomegranate seeds, almonds and pomegranate molasses.
VERDICT
“Very sumptuous! Packed full of dates and nuts”
Difficulty: 3/10 Time: 30 mins
Recipe from The Greedy Wordsmith greedywordsmith.com