Ashure
Ashure is a traditional Turkish desert which was traditionally served during the first month of the Islamic calendar. It contains no animal products, not even honey, which renders it vegan. This desert is a mixture of grains, nuts and dried fruit. Its content can be seen as symbol of diversity as the philosophy behind this desert is to be made in large quantities and be shared with everyone regardless of their background. In the West this desert is known also as Noah's Pudding.
Before making my ashure, I consulted at least dozen different recipes and videos and each of them was different. Not sure which one to follow, I decided to play it by ear and do my version of the pudding.
Traditionally it should have at least 7 ingredients, or 10 as its name suggests (Ashure means 10), or 12. As with all traditional recipes the number of ingredients is somewhat undecided. So I made up my plan, I'd use only wheat as using chickpeas and beans was a bit of a hassle, I'd use up all the leftover dry fruit from the hiking snacks I carried with me for the weekend and I'd use a combination of walnuts and almonds. All in all my pre-planned ingredients were 7. Of course, projections are nice, reality is bleak.
When I'd got home the night I was supposed to soak the wheat, someone nice had tidied up the cupboard and emptied the jar of dry apricots. One ingredient less won't make a difference I said and went on with the plan and soaked the wheat. Then the nutcracker broke. No walnuts.
The next morning I boiled the wheat in a pressure cooker(who knew it is boiled just like beans), and I started adding the dry fruit, Deprived of apricots and short of figs I added the modest raisins and let it simmer for a while. Then when they weren't all shriveled I added cinnamon and nutmeg and vanilla. I transferred the contents to cups and decorated it with crushed almonds and dry cranberries. When I actually served it I added the pomegranate as well.
Truth be told, it wasn't a roaring success, but it save the day and our blood-sugar levels. Next time it'll be better.
Before making my ashure, I consulted at least dozen different recipes and videos and each of them was different. Not sure which one to follow, I decided to play it by ear and do my version of the pudding.
Traditionally it should have at least 7 ingredients, or 10 as its name suggests (Ashure means 10), or 12. As with all traditional recipes the number of ingredients is somewhat undecided. So I made up my plan, I'd use only wheat as using chickpeas and beans was a bit of a hassle, I'd use up all the leftover dry fruit from the hiking snacks I carried with me for the weekend and I'd use a combination of walnuts and almonds. All in all my pre-planned ingredients were 7. Of course, projections are nice, reality is bleak.
When I'd got home the night I was supposed to soak the wheat, someone nice had tidied up the cupboard and emptied the jar of dry apricots. One ingredient less won't make a difference I said and went on with the plan and soaked the wheat. Then the nutcracker broke. No walnuts.
The next morning I boiled the wheat in a pressure cooker(who knew it is boiled just like beans), and I started adding the dry fruit, Deprived of apricots and short of figs I added the modest raisins and let it simmer for a while. Then when they weren't all shriveled I added cinnamon and nutmeg and vanilla. I transferred the contents to cups and decorated it with crushed almonds and dry cranberries. When I actually served it I added the pomegranate as well.
Truth be told, it wasn't a roaring success, but it save the day and our blood-sugar levels. Next time it'll be better.
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