The Baking Paper: Basbousa
Do you need a little ray of sunshine after all the cold, wet weather? Well I have recipe for you. This sweet treat is from the Eastern Mediterranean.
In Turkey, it is known as Revani, in Greece it's Ravani and in Egypt it is known as Basbousa.
Although the name changes, the recipe remains the same(ish).
Made with semolina, coconut and lemon, it's lovely, light and especial yummy because it's soaked in a rosewater syrup. This one is sure to become a favourite.
Buon appetito!
BASBOUSA Makes: Approximately 20x30cm tin with 4cm-high sides
Ingredients:
430g semolina
200g caster sugar
80g self-raising flour
80g desiccated coconut
210g Greek yoghurt
200g unsalted butter, melted
half vanilla pod, seeds only
zest of 1 lemon
dash of milk - if required
about 20-30 blanched almonds
Syrup:
300g sugar
240ml water
juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp rosewater
Preheat oven to 185C and line a baking tin with baking paper. In a bowl, sift in semolina, sugar and flour and add coconut. Combine. Add yoghurt, melted butter, vanilla and zest, stirring together until combined. Add a dash of milk if mix is looking a little dry.
Transfer mix into prepared tin and, using your fingers, press down mix until evenly spread over base.
Use a knife to cut your mix into diamond shapes and place an almond in the centre of each (see picture above). Bake for 40 minutes or until it starts to become golden brown.
While Basbousa is baking, it is time to make the syrup. Place all the syrup ingredients in a saucepan and slowly simmer until liquid reduces by about two-thirds to a half. This will take about 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Once Basbousa has finished baking, remove from oven and, while still hot, pour over syrup. Allow to cool before serving.
MORE BAKING PAPER RECIPES:
Basbousa
Gingerbread Men
Ooze Booze Chocolate Cakes
Spinach and Cheese Damper
Citrus and Coconut Cupcakes
Caramel Slice
Choc-mint Cupcakes
Pear and Pistachio Cake
Cheesecake Brownie
Stonefruit Crumble Cake
Blueberry Friands
Hazelnut Shortbread Melts
Cherry Ripe Slice
Plum and Orange Custard Tart
Gateau
Passionate Kisses
