Ashure or Ashura is a porridge like dessert that is so popular in the Middle East and Turkey. Sweet, textured and rich dessert.
Ashure
Ashure is a dessert recipe made throughout the Middle East, Turkey, Armenia. In the Middle East it is the 10th day of the first month in the Hijri calendar. Read more about the lunar calendar here.
This dessert is made and distributed in large quantities in the region to represent peace. Ashure is derived from the number 10 in Arabic. It is believed to be the day that God saved Moses and the son of Israel from the Pharaoh is Egypt. Another story is that it was a dish made by Noah and his family and followers after landing.. and so many other stories.
This is probably why this dish has so many recipes depending on the origin and the reason it was made for.For us here I am going to show you the Egyptian Ashura.
What is Ashure?
Ashure/Ashura represents many beliefs and cultures for example:
➡️ Prophet Adam's repentance.
➡️ God saves Moses and the nation of Israel from Pharaoh and his army.
➡️ The survival of Noah and his people and the landing of the ship.
➡️ The battle of Karbala and the death of Hussien ibn Ali.
What is the season of Ashure?
In the Middle East and Turkey it is usually cooked in the first month of the Islamic Calendar especially on the 10th day. In Armenia though, it is served during Christmas and the New Year.
what is pelted wheat?
Pelted wheat is wheat without the outer bran layer for easy cooking. It is a common ingredient in the Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine. Check out this recipe for Egyptian Belila.
How to make Ashure/Ashura or aşure?
You will need:
Pelted wheat, sugar, water, milk and something to flavor your pudding with like vanilla, orange blossom water, rose water or any extract of your choice. We will also need cornstarch for thickening and an optional dried fruits or nuts for garnishing.
- Start by rinsing the wheat very well and picking any debris that might be in there. Place in a pot then cover with cold water, bring to boil then reduce heat and let it cook for about 45 minutes until the wheat is cooked.
- Do not drain. Pour 4 and ½ cups of milk in then add sugar and you flavoring extract to the wheat, stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Dissolve corn starch in the remaining half cup of cold milk then add to the pot. Keep on stirring for about 10 more minutes until it thickened.
- Remove from heat, let it set for 5 minutes then place the mixture in the serving plates.
- Garnish with cinnamon,nuts,raisins whatever you like. Refrigerate or keep it to cool on your kitchen counter and enjoy.
Ashure Recipe
Ashura Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup pelted wheat.
- 5 cups water.
- 5 cup of milk divided.
- ½ cup granulated sugar or to taste. Note1
- 3 Tbs cornstarch.
- For flavors: Use either of vanilla extract orange blossom water, rose water or any flavor you like for your pudding.
- For garnish:
- use coconut flakes raisins, dried cranberries, nuts, ground cinnamon or dried fruits.
Instructions
- Start by rinsing the wheat very well and picking any debris that might be in there. Place in a pot then cover with cold water, bring to boil then reduce heat and let it cook for about 45 minutes until the wheat is cooked.
- Do not drain. Pour 4 and ½ cups of milk in then add sugar and you flavoring extract to the wheat, stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Dissolve cornstarch in the remaining half cup of cold milk then add to the pot. Keep on stirring for about 10 more minutes until it thickened.
- Remove from heat, let it set for 5 minutes then place the mixture in the serving plates.
- Garnish with cinnamon,nuts,raisins whatever you like. Refrigerate or keep it to cool on your kitchen counter and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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Philip
Tried the Ashura Recipe -- it's not hard to follow -- but it turned out to be more of a "milk soup" than anything else. I was expecting a pudding, something firmer. Can you offer any advice?
Amira
Philip, it should be something thick like a pudding but not too thick like cheesecake consistency. The wheat should have released enough starch while cooking and with the help of more cornstarch, the mixture should have thickened. You can always return them to the pot over medium heat and dissolve another tablespoon or cornstarch in a little bit of cold water, pour it over the mixture and stir until it thickens. I hope this helps.
Rayray
How far in advance can I make this dish? I want to make it four days before my Turkish dinner party.
Amira
I haven't prepared it in advance before but I would say 2 days, I am afraid that the surface might crack or be kind of leathery. Hope this helps Rayray.
Judith Humphrys
Where in the western world would you find pelted wheat?
Sana
Hi Judith! Apologies to Amira but had to chime in and leave a comment.
I have had success finding it at a Walmart that’s near me. With that being said we have a very large middle eastern population so maybe that’s why I was able to find it, so not sure about your Walmart. Online is another place you could look. Good luck finding it. it worth it, it is one of those recipes that now is going to get repeated in my house.
Amira
No need to apologize my dear we are a community here and if you can help that would be awesome. Thank you for your reply.