I was born in Saudi Arabia, stayed there for a couple of years and returned to Egypt when I was just 2 years old. Many years later when I was almost 9 my dad went there again to work but this time alone. We stayed in Egypt and just went there to spend the summer vacations there. I have so many sweet memories of being there, lots of friends from different countries – a thing I have never experienced in Egypt. I had friends from India, Pakistan, Palestine, Jordan and so on. I had friends who do not know how to speak Arabic or English yet we communicated very well!!! I’ve had friends from many cultures and religions yet we got along all of us very very well … I think kids should teach adults how to live together in harmony aaaaah I miss being a kid :).
Many of these sweet memories are related to food. During the month of Ramadan and Eid many dishes were exchanged between the families there so we’ve got an amazing opportunity to have other cuisines in our home. A very simple yet delicious dessert that is widely spread in Iraq and Saudi Arabia is the sweet vermicelli. I’ve heard that this dish is also common in Pakistan but they use milk instead of water, I need to investigate more on this.
Now let’s do it the Iraqi way:
- 3 c of water.
- 2 c of vermicelli.
- 3/4 c of white sugar – I used only 1/2 to reduce sugar intake.
- 1/2 c of oil or butter – I’ve used mixture.
- a dash of vanilla or rose water- if you like.
- For garnish: dried fruits, cinnamon, nuts…… etc
In a pan brown the vermicelli until it is golden brown watch out so it will not burn.
Add water and reduce the heat, wait for the water to be almost all gone and test the tenderness of the vermicelli to make sure it is done. Add the sugar and stir well, add the vanilla or the rose water if you intend to stirring everything up together, cook for more 5 minutes then turn off the heat. Let it cool a bit.
Serve with dried fruits, nuts, coconut flakes, powdered sugar or……
Enjoy it plain as is.
What is this dish called in Iraqi Arabic?
Molly, thanks for stopping by and checking my recipes. In Arabic this is called حلاوة الشعرية العراقية
I hope this will help.
No – I don’t read the Arabic alphabet . . . yet 🙂 Can you transliterate it into Roman letters?
I am so sorry, I thought you wanted it in pure Arabic. It is called Halawet el she’reyaa. Hope that will help.
Yes, thank you!!
I had to have a go Amira. It looked so delicious!
And it really is, tasty and sweet.
Thanks for sharing such nice and easy recipes. To be true, it’s the first time I am trying recipes from a blog I follow! Big change!
I’m honored that you have chosen one of my recipes as a first 🙂 Thanks Marie and glad you liked it.
Every Ramadan my mother in law (Saudi) makes a dish kind of like this. It is simple though with just sugar. She makes it not bc it is the best, but bc it reminds of her of her grandma that used to be poor and made it every Ramadan.
It is a very easy and frugal dessert. I sometimes do this in Ramadan when I am short of desserts :).
Growing up internationally and moving around opens your eyes up to amazing cultures, languages and friendships. I am so glad my kids have also had this experience. When you ask them where is home, they look kind of puzzled as we have moved around a bit. I guess home is wherever your family is at. I see the wonder influences of your experiences in this sweet vermicelli dish. I would have never thought to put dried fruits in a vermicelli but reading recipe I can see how this is something that I need to try. Take care, BAM
This is so sweet of you Bam., there is wisdom in your words my friends.
Too bad adults don’t learn these lessons from children. Respecting others differences and cultures are so important for everyone. Being exposed to so many interesting people at such a young age truly is a gift. Your recipe sounds delicious and quite interesting!
Thanks Kathy, I believe the source of all of today’s problems is that people do not try to understand and accept their differences. Too bad really.
Yes, Indian and Pakistan has a sweet version similar to this one. We have one that is a bit more soupy with milk and then a drier version made with sugar syrup. Both are common during Eid. I didn’t realise Iraqis had a version too. I know this is incredibly good!
I love anything noodles 🙂 and vermicelli is no difference. Thanks Nazneen.
G’day! What an unusual dish!
Thank you for allowing me to learn something new Amira!
Cheers! Joanne
Thanks Joanne for your sweet comment.
These look wonderful Amira! It’s crazy how foods change a little across the border. In Pakistan and India we have similar sweets made of Vermicelli; in fact I’ve got both the milk version and a version similar to yours on my blog! 🙂
Your childhood memories sound wonderful. You know, to outsiders it seems as if the Middle East and Saudi Arabia specifically is a place hostile to outsiders, but in all truth it’s the very opposite. I lived in the UAE a part of my teenage years, and my encounters with those of different backgrounds sounds very much like yours! 🙂
This is the difference between kids and adults, kids are willing to understand and accept each other but adults are not and I think this is the cause of today’s major problems. About the dish I thought I’ve seen a Pakistani version with milk too I bet it is a richer one.
Sounds like a lovely childhood, Amira! And these candied noodles with dried fruit sound exquisite!!!
Thanks Liz, I’ve had a happy childhood 🙂 I hope my kids will be happy too.
Amira: How great is to know that people from different cultures live together in harmony, respecting each other and their differences. This dish sounds amazing! I love to try foods from different ethnicities…I would be happy to eat this one!
Thanks Denise I hope you’ll try this.
In a lot of ways I was so much smarter as a kid than I am now! Sounds like you had a great childhood. Love this dish — I haven’t had it before, and it’s so interesting. Love the technique — you could flavor this almost any way you want! Definitely I’ll be trying this — thanks.
Hahaha you are still smart john!! Try this dish and you will fall for it I am sure.
BTW: I’ve tried your rolls It was super super good I am going to comment on it in your blog.
You have a wonderful childhood experience! I always wished to live in another country growing up (well, now I ended up in another country though). Without the same language it’s amazing how we try to understand to each other – mostly we learn to listen. 🙂 Trying out new dishes is a fun part too. I wish I could bring my kids to other parts of the world… you are so lucky! 🙂 I didn’t have a chance to eat this dish, but it sounds amazing. I’ve only tried savory vermicelli dish, so this was a fun surprise!
We learn to listen … I love this part of your comment Nami. In the US you do not have to bring your children to other parts of the world!! in USA other parts of the world come to you 🙂 the diversity is huge here. We just need to teach them to accept the differences. Thanks for your sweet comment.
So Delicious, I love it coconut, powdered sugar and nuts of course:)
Thanks dear :).