Oriental semolina cake

1 cake

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2poundsWheat semolina
cupSugar
1teaspoonBaking powder
2cupsSour cream
2ouncesMargarine, softened
4cupsSugar
3cupsWater or butter
¾cupWater
3tablespoonsTahini
½cupChopped pine nuts
10Drops fresh lemon juice

Directions

CAKE

SYRUP

Preheat oven to 170 C (325 F).

In a large bowl combine semolina, sugar, baking powder, sour cream and margarine. Gradually add water. Beat until smooth (a little more water may be needed).

Oil a large oven pan. Spread the pan with tahini.

Pour the batter into the pan, sprinkle with peanuts or pine nuts, and bake 45 minutes, or until golden. Cool.

Make syrup: combine sugar, water and lemon juice in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook on low heat for 20 minutes, until thick.

Cut the cake to 5 cm X 5 cm (2 inch X 2 inch) squares, and pour the hot syrup over the cake squares.

Serve immediately or at room temperature.

Origin: The recipe for this traditional middle-eastern cake was found at the back of an Israeli wheat semolina brand.

Translated by Gabi Shahar, September 1993.