Ashtalieh/ Ashtalleya with Desiccated Coconut
Description
Talk about the oriental and Middle Eastern desserts that tickle the senses with their aromas and flavors. Ashtalieh/ Ashtalleya is a Lebanese classic made out of simple cupboard ingredients.
Ingredients
- Sugar Syrup:
- 3 cups sugar
- 11/2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
- Pudding:
- 6 cups/ 11/2 liters whole milk
- 1/2 cup cornstarch/ corn flour
- 1 cup desiccated coconut or shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon mastic gum crushed with a pinch of sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
- 1/2 cup pistachio nuts for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the sugar syrup. Place the sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar.Once it boils reduce heat to low and simmer for 7 minutes. Do not cover the saucepan.Add the orange blossom water and simmer for 1 more minute.Set aside to completely cool down.
- To prepare the pudding: Place the milk, desiccated coconut, cornstarch and crushed mastic in a pot. Place the pot over medium to high heat, whisking constantly until the mixture boils and thickens. Add the orange blossom water and whisk one last time to infuse the flavors together.
- Divide the pudding into small ramekins. Set aside to completely cool down.
- In the meantime, grind the pistachio nuts using a food processor.
- Garnish the pudding with some pistachios, optional. Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Drizzle some sugar syrup over each ramekin just upon serving. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
If you make this recipe, share your pictures on Facebook! I would love to see your creations!Hashtag them #Hadia's Lebanese Cuisine
Another fantastic Lebanese Pudding worth learning: Mouhallabia with Apricot Coulis
Another fantastic Lebanese Pudding worth learning: Mouhallabia with Apricot Coulis
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