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 :).